widespread prolapse in my flock

[smithmj]

It started with one. It was so bad, that after a few days we put her down. Two more. appeared treatable, so tried, lost one. the other is still in my house in a cage. I discovered another today. I have darkened the coop. they won't stop laying. I am about to start them on antibiotics. Why could this happen to so many? From what I have read, it is unusual. I wonder if there is something other than laying out of season that could cause this. I have been giving liquid calcium for about 2 weeks, in case it was soft eggs, though the eggs have appeared to be fine. I don't think they are obese or under weight. They have been getting garlic, plenty, so I don't think they have worms. HELP!

 

[enola]

First - garlic does not treat worms. If they are infested with worms, you need a wormer. Second - the prolapses. You are right that may prolapses is mot normal. You may have a hen pecking the other hen's vents when they are laying. A well placed peck will cause IMMEDIATE swelling. Which will cause her vent to look like it is prolapsed. Once the swelling starts, a couple of more vicious pecks and you have a swollen bloody mess. How high are your nests from the floor?

 

[smithmj]

My nests are enclosed. Some are low and some are higher. The pecking hen would have to get in there and get under/behind the laying hen. I had wormed with chicken wormer, and have kept up with garlic to hopefully prevent reinfestation, since when worming, I toss the eggs for two weeks. There is no doubt about the prolapse, it isn't just a little swelling