multiple hens Swollen under vents, possible lash egg and wound

[Tracyree]

Having a lot of trouble with my flock. First week of December I noticed a few with messy vents and swollen undersides. Took two to the vet and was told one had a fever. She prescribed an anti inflammatory and antibiotics for those two.

Here we are a month later and i found another hen with swollen underneath. Feel soft and squishy. Messy vents. Same night I found one of the original ones that was sick has a huge wound under her vent, I assume the others picked on her messy butt. Also found a very small possible lash egg yesterday

I have her separated in my hospital coop, cleaned her up and sprayed Vetericyn.

Now. What is going on with my flock and how can I help them?

Husbandry- i clean water daily, fresh all flock feed available at all times (took them off layer at vet’s recommendation). They have a 6x8 coop with plenty of roost space and i clean droppings boards every other day. They have a 16x20 enclosed run. I was letting them into a pasture up until they ate all the grass down to dirt, it’s resting for now.

Hyposthesis’ - Vet suggested too much calcium in diet causing kidney problems. I took them off layer at that point and now they are on all flock but it’s still happening.

Another thought - maybe the sod they cleared poisoned them? It’s been over a month since they were out though.

Another idea- some infection illness??

 

[sourland]

How old are the birds, and what breed are they?

 

[Tracyree]

How old are the birds, and what breed are they?

They are about 9 months old and i have several breeds. The ones showing symptoms are Orpington, austalorps and copper Maran

 

[Eggcessive]

What are you feeding them? Swollen lower bellies could be from a reproductive infection, water belly, or fatty liver disease. Could you post a picture of the one with the large wound? Check for any maggots. Are they laying eggs? I would not totally remove calcium. If feeding layer feed, they need access to some crushed oyster shell in a separate container than feed. Does your vet know much about chickens? If you should lose a hen, it is helpful to either have your state vet do a necropsy, or do a home one yourself. Looking at the abdominal organs can help explain what might have been going on.

 

[Tracyree]

What are you feeding them? Swollen lower bellies could be from a reproductive infection, water belly, or fatty liver disease. Could you post a picture of the one with the large wound? Check for any maggots. Are they laying eggs? I would not totally remove calcium. If feeding layer feed, they need access to some crushed oyster shell in a separate container than feed. Does your vet know much about chickens? If you should lose a hen, it is helpful to either have your state vet do a necropsy, or do a home one yourself. Looking at the abdominal organs can help explain what might have been going on.

I will definitely do the necropsy if I lose one

They were getting Scratch & Peck layer feed from 19 weeks until one month ago. Now they get Nature’s Best Organics All Flock

I get about 4 eggs a day from 11 hens.

My vet does know about chickens, she is a farm vet and has been keeping chickens her while adult life as well.

They have a photo is from right after i washed the wound and sprayed with Vetericyn. She is now in my hospital coop in a heated shop (keeping it about 55 F )