Vent or split stomach

[Garrett46]

I have this buff Orpington hen who has an issue with her vent area. It was noticed just today and was not like this two days ago. We saw another hen pecking at her and separated her immediately. Looking closer it looks like the skin right below her vent is split about 2.5 inches wide. We sprayed with vetericyn right away to sterilize and promote some sort of healing. Then we checked my other 12 hens and found three others with slightly the same problem. It is not as bad yet on them. One is slightly through and the others just have some scab skin there. The hens are all 7-8 months old and very healthy. Fed completely organic. They have plenty of roost space and there is nothing sharp to cause the cut. Can someone please give me some information. If there is anything? We have no local vets and non that will take care of chickens anywhere within 2 hours. Thanks.

 

[MysteryChicken]

@Eggcessive

 

[MysteryChicken]

@Wyorp Rock

 

[Eggcessive]

My guess is there is some vent pecking and cannibalism happening. That can lead to death, and can have several reasons. Boredom from not getting outside to roam, overcrowding, too little protein in the diet, too much light inside the nesting area, and aggressive breeds can be a possible cause. Some use game cameras to watch what is going on to try and help. Separate the wounded hens. Spray the Vetericyn, and plain antibiotic ointment can be very good to keep on the wounds. Leave open ing to air. Clean towels can be good to use for bedding in dog crates or pens.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is some reading about cannibalism and vent pecking:
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/2902/2902-1095/2902-1095_pdf.pdf

 

[Garrett46]

My guess is there is some vent pecking and cannibalism happening. That can lead to death, and can have several reasons. Boredom from not getting outside to roam, overcrowding, too little protein in the diet, too much light inside the nesting area, and aggressive breeds can be a possible cause. Some use game cameras to watch what is going on to try and help. Separate the wounded hens. Spray the Vetericyn, and plain antibiotic ointment can be very good to keep on the wounds. Leave open ing to air. Clean towels can be good to use for bedding in dog crates or pens.

Okay the boredom is a definite possibility. They have a football field sized run. But with the snow we have in my area they hang out right by the door on the coop. I’ll do some reading from that link and hope for the best. Chickens are very resilient. I’ve had many recover from bad predator attacks but have never seen an injury like this. Thank so much!

 

[Eggcessive]

I sometimes shovel areas for mine to roam in the snow, but we have thick ice on the ground now. Watch for a particular bully innyour group by spending some time with them.

 

[Garrett46]

I will definitely shovel them an area to roam. I spend a lot of time with them and they peck at each other once in awhile which is pretty normal but never attack eachother but I could have one who’s getting nasty. Do you think a wound like that is capable of healing?

 

[Garrett46]

I sometimes shovel areas for mine to roam in the snow, but we have thick ice on the ground now. Watch for a particular bully innyour group by spending some time with them.

I will definitely shovel them an area to roam. I spend a lot of time with them and they peck at each other once in awhile which is pretty normal but never attack eachother but I could have one who’s getting nasty. Do you think a wound like that is capable of healing?

 

[cherrynberry]

I will definitely shovel them an area to roam. I spend a lot of time with them and they peck at each other once in awhile which is pretty normal but never attack eachother but I could have one who’s getting nasty. Do you think a wound like that is capable of healing?

Just to jump in (never dealt with this exact thing) but I have witnessed some people on here who have had chickens survive from organs showing and penetrated lungs...I think she can make it, but you have to do what eggcessive wrote, to keep it from getting infected and help it to scab and heal...