Red and swollen area below vent - what is this???

[Stargazerranch]

Hi:

Two of my hens have a huge red swollen area below their vents the size of a palm. There are almost no feathers there besides a few stubbles.

Both chickens are still very active, running around eating, and even laying.

As you can see in the picture, the area is really swollen, red, and feels hot to the touch. The vent itself looks normal.

It started a few weeks ago in one chicken, and a few days ago I noticed that another chicken has it too.

Now I'm worried it's a virus or something contagious.

I don't want to lose my whole flock.

If you have any idea what this could be and how to treat, I would be very thankful.

Cheers,
Tanja

More images at http://picasaweb.google.com/VolkerWick/Chicken/

 

[justusnak]

How old are these hens? Just a guess...they might be getting ready to go broody? I was thinking they might be pulling the feathers out...to incubate them? I dont know....looks painfull! Poor things. Hope someone else has an idea for you. Let us know!

 

[WoodlandWoman]

OK, I was hoping somebody that actually knew something might post, but I guess the holiday weekend is keeping them busy. Or, this is just a really odd case. None of my chickens have ever had this problem.

My chickens have only ever had the type of mites that stay on them, so they were visible on the chickens. I was wondering if there is any possibility that this is a case of chickens having the type of mites that hide during daylight hours and only come out to attack the chickens at night? Especially since more than one chicken has the problem.

Sorry your girls are having such trouble. That looks really uncomfortable!

 

[boilerjoe_96]

SOrry I don't know anything either... Some of my Cornish Cross(meat birds) have the same thing...

Anybody with red rump knowledge out there??

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

The swollen / featherless back end looks like my girl here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=2528

Main difference is the redness. Not sure if that is of any help, but I hope your girl gets better.

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

Doesn't anyone know what this is. My chickens have it too. They are eating and laying just fine but look terrible. I checked for mites and treated them but it hasn't helped. Any help will be appreciated. Micki

 

[missusduray]

I have been scouring the net to find an answer for you but I have come up empty handed. I am sorry. I wish that I had somthing to tell you. I read that some infections present that way. Maybe you want to call your local vet. Let us know if you find an answer.
Kristyne

 

[dlhunicorn]

many mites bury beneath the skin...I would treat with the appropriate amount of ivomec EPRINEX (ON the skin method and nOT in drinking water) and AGRESSIVELY clean their coops ... personally I do think it is a lice/mite problem. Here is an article on the Eprinex:
http://shilala.homestead.com/ivomec.html