several wounded chickens

[Whatsnottoluvaboutchicken]

Hi, I have 4 hens who have lost fluff feathers (from under vent to underbelly) with wounds about 2 inches below vent. The first one I found last week so I cleaned off dried blood (as much as I could), put antibiotic ointment on and put her in her own cage inside the coop. She is doing well so I put her back in with the others. Today, I noticed fresh blood on the wound site (which has healed up and is a much smaller scab), so I isolated her again. Then I noticed that another hen had a wound in the same area! and then another and another! Oh my goodness! What is going on? I suspect pecking but why in the same spot on 4 hens? The hen with the worst wound actually has a hole in her skin the size of a pea. I only have two cages and I am not sure what is causing this. I don't even know chicken anatomy perfectly...is the vent the only "hole" on the hens butt? Forgive my ignorance Can anyone help? Thanks, Susan

 

[Bock_Bock]

it is is all in the same spot it can be from another chicken pecking at them my laying girl loves to peck at the feet chicken or human she just has her spot have u tried watching your flock, also another reason they might be gettign these cuts in the same area is there could be something in the coop that is scratching them up do they use the say laying box anything sticking out that can cut them like this it could be anywhere but all in the same spot i would check to make sure nothing in the coop is sticking out to scratch them up like this

 

[Whatsnottoluvaboutchicken]

I haven't watched my flock, I had the thought tonight that I need to spend some time doing just that. It has just been soooo cold in Chicago-land! Thank you for your input, I will also check the coop and see if anything is stickin out that could cut them. It doesn't look like a cut, though. More like a peck hole, unfortunately. But why would all of the feathers be gone?

 

[AngelzFyre]

If you don't find anything they are getting hurt on or if you see they are pecking each other and pulling the feathers they probably need more protein in their feed and things to do during the day to keep them occupied. Are they in a coop with access to a run or closed up all the time. You can hang cabbages and other treats in wire baskets for them to eat too and give them something to do in case it's just a boredom issue.
Good luck and WELCOME to BYC!!!!!!!!! Keep us posted on how they do.

There are several threads on here about treats and also different things people feed. Just use the SEARCH link above and you'll find them.
I personally feed Flock Raiser along with Game Bird crumbles <Breeder formula> for the extra protein right now since there's no greenery or bugs out for them to eat.