- Feb 24, 2012
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Yesterday I noticed one of my 1yr old hens, Lucille's butt was looking very pasty. I got her cleaned up only to discover a prolapsed vent. I found this article on The Chicken Chick (http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/04/prolapse-vent-causes-treatment-graphic.html) and it's been a huge help, but I still have some questions.
By the time I got back from the feed store after reading the article, her vent looked almost back to normal, but I figured I should treat it anyway, just to be safe. I cleaned her up again, used the Vetericyn and Preparation H the article recommended, and have her isolated in a darkened crate in my kitchen (to discourage egg laying and keep her from the other hens who may peck her vent). I felt around to see if she's egg bound, but didn't feel anything.
I repeated everything today. Her vent looks almost normal, except that the bottom half of the opening is protruding a little, almost like a pouty lip. She's alert, her comb is red, she's eating, but I haven't actually seen her drink yet. Today I have given her some Vitamins & Electrolytes, and dropped some in her mouth too. I'm hoping the Vitamins & Electrolytes will help with muscle activity that might help pull the "pouty lip" back into place, since it won't stay when I push on it.
Everything seems to be going well, but I'm concerned because her poops seem to be on the small size. I'm used to seeing chicken poop in my yard that's the size of a quarter or larger. She's pooped a few times while I'm working on her, but very small amounts, and I'm not seeing much in her crate. Am I over-thinking this? (I do that sometimes)
Also, if she continues progressing without another prolapse, and the "pouty lip" goes back to looking like a normal, healthy vent, how long should I keep her isolated and continue monitoring for a recurrence? The Chicken Chick article said she kept hers isolated for a week, but she was treating open sores on the feet too. Do I need to keep her crate darkened the whole time too?
Thanks for your help!
By the time I got back from the feed store after reading the article, her vent looked almost back to normal, but I figured I should treat it anyway, just to be safe. I cleaned her up again, used the Vetericyn and Preparation H the article recommended, and have her isolated in a darkened crate in my kitchen (to discourage egg laying and keep her from the other hens who may peck her vent). I felt around to see if she's egg bound, but didn't feel anything.
I repeated everything today. Her vent looks almost normal, except that the bottom half of the opening is protruding a little, almost like a pouty lip. She's alert, her comb is red, she's eating, but I haven't actually seen her drink yet. Today I have given her some Vitamins & Electrolytes, and dropped some in her mouth too. I'm hoping the Vitamins & Electrolytes will help with muscle activity that might help pull the "pouty lip" back into place, since it won't stay when I push on it.
Everything seems to be going well, but I'm concerned because her poops seem to be on the small size. I'm used to seeing chicken poop in my yard that's the size of a quarter or larger. She's pooped a few times while I'm working on her, but very small amounts, and I'm not seeing much in her crate. Am I over-thinking this? (I do that sometimes)
Also, if she continues progressing without another prolapse, and the "pouty lip" goes back to looking like a normal, healthy vent, how long should I keep her isolated and continue monitoring for a recurrence? The Chicken Chick article said she kept hers isolated for a week, but she was treating open sores on the feet too. Do I need to keep her crate darkened the whole time too?
Thanks for your help!
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