My chiocken has a very bloody vent, and is lathargic

[Chickchick99]

Hi, can anyone advise?

We have 3 chickens, one has become quite lathargic over the past few days, not really eatting or drinking. This morning I found one of the other chickens pecking at her vent. Her vent is very bloody, and swollen.
I have seprated her from the other 2 - but I really don't know what to do!!!

can anyone help?

 

[Judy]

You did the right thing. Try to find her a fake companion like a small stuffed toy or feather duster -- even a wadded up old sock. Clean the wound if really dirty -- dab with mild soapy water or whatever. Put a little Neosporin ointment on it. Avoid any ointment or cream with a "caine" drug such as benzocaine or cetacaine. If you have BluKote (gentian violet) you can use this as an antiseptic and also as a way to mask the wound so hopefully she can rejoin her flock sooner -- she will need to be sepaarate as long as blood is visible.

The outcome of this may not be good; mostly we can only do our best to make them comfortable. She will be a lot less sore with some Neosporin or other antibiotic ointment on her wound. Good luck!

 

[Chickchick99]

Thanks so much for the advice - I'll get her cleaned up - and fingers crossed.........

I read somewhere that giving them a luke warm bath, with epsom salts is also a good way to clean them, and relax them. Do you think its worth a go?

 

[terryg]

There are two likely reasons why she could have a bloody vent. She might have prolapsed, where the oviduct comes out, and then the other chickens could have pecked at it. Or, it could be that she was pecked at without the prolapse. In either case she needs to be cleaned up and inspected to determine if a prolapse needs to be cared for. If so, you can read what I did here:
http://hencam.com/henblog/2007/07/folk-medicine-cure/
I would suggest antibiotics.
An epsom salt bath is often helpful. I have directions on how to do that (and why) here:
http://hencam.com/faq/the-spa-treatment/
Good luck!

 

[Chickchick99]

Hi,
Thanks so much for your reply, I have just read your description of prolapse - and that sounds like it, from what I saw this morning.
I'll let you know how we get on - finger crossed.

I must say this will be a first for me - bathing a chicken!! I think the other 2 ladies will be jealous.....
Rachel

 

[Chickchick99]

Hi
We have bathed her, but she looks very, very infected, sore and sick.
We have spoken to a vet friend and they said it does not look good at all. So we have tucked her into a nice nest for tonight, and she looks asleep already.
I truely hope she passes in the night, its so so so sad. All I can say is 'thanks for all the eggs Roberta, and that chicken heaven is a place with no fences so you can roam free. RIP'

Thanks for all your advice, we'll keep track of your website - its got so much good advice on it.
Rachel