Red / swollen area under vent/ between legs

[Mollylisuzzo]

Area under vent looks to be swollen, missing feathers, and warm to the touch. Photo taken after soaking in epsom salt bath. Unsure of what is causing this. Chicken seems to be acting fine. Could this be a normal molt?

I have 6 chickens and usually get 6 eggs a day. The last 2 days, we’ve only gotten 5 eggs. I can’t confirm if she’s the one who stopped laying.

Any advice appreciated.

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi,

Welcome to BYC!

How old is she?

Have you checked her for mites? No other chicken is picking on her?

Is that hard or soft and squishy?

That could be ascites (water belly) as it does look swollen and you said warm to the touch. The missing feathers could be herself plucking them off as it might be painful or irritating to her. It looks like it could be an infection.

I'd go ahead and give her a Calcium Citrate + D3 for a couple of days in case she's egg-bound. That won't hurt anything and if she's trying to pass an egg or part thereof, that will cause contractions.

 

[Mollylisuzzo]

She’s almost 9months old.

I didn’t see mites, but there was small white dots (maybe eggs) near her vent, so I was thinking maybe lice! That’s what prompted the initial soak. She also had a bowel movement during the soak.

The other chickens don’t seem to be picking on her.

The swollen area is squishy, not hard.

I’ll try the calcium and d3. She’s set to go to the vet once the chicken specialist comes in on Thursday, so hoping she’s okay until then!

 

[Mollylisuzzo]

Hi,

Welcome to BYC!

How old is she?

Have you checked her for mites? No other chicken is picking on her?

Is that hard or soft and squishy?

That could be ascites (water belly) as it does look swollen and you said warm to the touch. The missing feathers could be herself plucking them off as it might be painful or irritating to her. It looks like it could be an infection.

I'd go ahead and give her a Calcium Citrate + D3 for a couple of days in case she's egg-bound. That won't hurt anything and if she's trying to pass an egg or part thereof, that will cause contractions.

Oops posted my thread instead of actually replying… I’m new here lol