ReeeaaaRR end!!!

[midwestmilkmaiden]

I'm startin' to wonder!?.... some of my hens in the past have died..(naturally i'm guessing) but one had an odd lookin rear end .. no feathers and a little swollen looking..? .. now one of my new Buff hens is lookin' like that around her rear end??.. i provide oyster shell for them but doesn't seem like they even touch it.. was worried at the time that i saw the swollen rear that she might have an egg stuck up in there but ?? .. My new Buff has been laying it seems just fine.. is a no feathered swollen bum normal?????

 

[rooster-red]

check for signs of lice & mites.

 

[Laskaland]

First:

She may be getting picked at. Is there blood, or just swelling? Also, do you have a roo that might be mating her rough?
Mites is an option too. If she gets bloody, you may have to seperate her b/c the rest will pick at her.
Good Luck
Christina

 

[Zahboo]

I'm going to guess picking, or maybe something to do with egglaying? I don't think it's eggbound. I would change the title to something more specific like Dead Chicken with featherless rear

This helps people understand what your talking about. Some of the more knowledgable people block this section because the "emergencies" aren't that at all. Yours seems pretty important, for your Buff Orp could be at risk.

 

[Orpington Poultry]

Hello, I would really check her out for mites. It sounds as if she has some parasites. Have your wormed them?
What kind of feed are they on. It is possible that she is pulling out her feathers and eating them if the protein is to low.

Good luck.

K.

 

[chickenannie]

It is called Ascitis or "Water Belly". Do a search on BYC for it. The liver is giving out as well as the heart. Or read this: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=68731

 

[midwestmilkmaiden]

Well.. to answer some of the questions.. I feed her a 16% laying mix and a little extra corn right now during the cold. I could go look in some of my books for the answer ro this but easier to just ask you guys.. how do I go about worming my chix... they're free rangers ... and what are other symptoms of parasites?? Thank Ya!