Leahs mom, I kind of agree that the bumblefoot doesn't seem likely as the source of the drops - the splash of the drops....anyone have a little tiny spot on their comb? combs can bleed a lot, and if someone was trying to get into an occupied nest, could have happened.
Chickens are tough enough to take coming into the house, getting cleaned up, and getting returned outside. Just make certain she is totally dry before heading out.
Quote: Sally, not really! If they don't eat them, the scratching seems to damage them. Once the plants are very well established, supervised ranging in the veggie garden seems to work ok, especially if you don't mind the loss of some of your veggies. they will pick at the flowers and ripe/unripe veggies and leaves, even if it is just to taste and then leave alone. Mine have never bothered some of the flowers - phlox, chrsanthemums, marigolds, roses, peonies, rhubarb, beebalm, sunflower, lilies, asters, etc - but they have to be pretty tall. spring and early summer, no way.
Mumsy: Hurrah!