Raw red bottoms on 1 year old hens

[stewartowen]

I have 2 /10 hens with raw red bottoms, and evidence of feather picking by some sisters. No mites noted. I understand Pierces Nu-Stock is a very good topical treatment, but it is out of stock in our area. Is there an alternative topical treatment to relieve the inflammation and promote regrowth of feathers?

 

[nuthatched]

They won't regrow until next molt.

 

[Eggcessive]

Try looking in your pharmacy or online for gentian violet, the blue in BluKote. You can dilute it slightly and carefully spray or dab it on the red vents. Be careful since it stains hands and clothing, but it eventually wears off.
https://www.amazon.com/Sanvall-Gent...ocphy=1024854&hvtargid=pla-2281435175938&th=1

Make sure that your hens are not overcrowded or bored from not getting outside to roam. Also feeding at least a 16% protein or 20% (better) feed will give them more protein. Feathers have protein and they sometimes pick them and eat them.

 

[stewartowen]

Thanks for your advice! While waiting to get the gentian violet online, would human preparations such as CVS' "Health Antibacterial Rapid-Seal Wound Gel", work to heal/protect up red and bleeding bottoms and so reduce further pecking? ..or might this be dangerous for my hens?

 

[nuthatched]

It helps to diagnose the readon ejy they're pecking.
Diet?
Coop size? For how many birds?
Are they bored?

 

[Eggcessive]

Thanks for your advice! While waiting to get the gentian violet online, would human preparations such as CVS' "Health Antibacterial Rapid-Seal Wound Gel", work to heal/protect up red and bleeding bottoms and so reduce further pecking? ..or might this be dangerous for my hens?

I have never used that so I don’t know. You can try Vicks or Nustock Cream, that are bad tasting and may prevent pecking. But again, try to find the reason they are pecking. Cannibalism can be a result if chickens are overcrowded, bored or not getting enough protein. The balanced chicken feeds are best for them, and a 20% flock raiser/all flock feed may satisfy them better. If you use that, put some crushed oyster shell out in a separate container to help supply enough calcium. In desperate situations, separate the aggressor. Pinless peepers are used on the bully by some people to prevent them from aiming and pecking. Here is some reading on those:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/pros-and-cons-of-pinless-peepers.1629317/

 

[stewartowen]

I have never used that so I don’t know. You can try Vicks or Nustock Cream, that are bad tasting and may prevent pecking. But again, try to find the reason they are pecking. Cannibalism can be a result if chickens are overcrowded, bored or not getting enough protein. The balanced chicken feeds are best for them, and a 20% flock raiser/all flock feed may satisfy them better. If you use that, put some crushed oyster shell out in a separate container to help supply enough calcium. In desperate situations, separate the aggressor. Pinless peepers are used on the bully by some people to prevent them from aiming and pecking. Here is some reading on those:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/pros-and-cons-of-pinless-peepers.1629317/

Thanks for your advice! We feed the girls on Dumor 16% chicken feed pellets, supplemented with occasional uncooked carrots & broccoli stems etc ground up in the food processor, which they love . We do have both grit & oystershells available 24/7 in little container, as well as their chicken feed and H2O. They are not free range, due to predators domestic & wild in the area, but have 2 good sizes runs and a large henhouse, so I don't think overcrowding is the problem. Here in Massachusetts, we've just had a very cold snowy winter, which might have given them a bit of cabin fever, although one run is covered, and there is a heater in their henhouse. I'm not able to find Nu-Stock in my area, apparently all sold out, but I'll try further afield online.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/tractor-supply-dumor-16-layer-pellet-50-lb-3006319-206