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My 3 Months Old Pullet with Bloody Vent & Missing Feathers
Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2025 12:07 am
by EggstraSpecial
Today during my routine egg collection, I noticed that one of my 3-month-old pullets had a bloody vent and her tail feathers were plucked out. I suspect that the feather loss might be from pecking, possibly triggered by the bloody vent. However, Im also concerned because her vent appears much more open than I would expect for a pullet her age.
She lives in a 530-square-foot greenhouse with 56 other chickens and is on a high-protein diet consisting of a mix of high-protein layer feed and unmedicated chick feed. She seems lethargic, but there is no discharge, prolapse, or visible tissue damagejust the bloody vent and missing feathers. I also haven't noticed any feces from her.
Ive moved her into our insulated (but not heated) garage to observe her more closely and see if shes eating or drinking. I also noticed that the skin under her vent seems thin.
Does anyone have any insight into what could be causing this? Could this be pecking-related, an internal issue, or something else entirely?
Any advice on treatment or what to watch for next would be greatly appreciated!
Re: My 3 Months Old Pullet with Bloody Vent & Missing Feathers
Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2025 2:59 pm
by CoryComb
Check her crop in the morning,if it's still full, she might have an impacted crop, which can cause lethargy and digestive issues. That could explain the lack of droppings.
Re: My 3 Months Old Pullet with Bloody Vent & Missing Feathers
Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2025 3:23 pm
by FreeRangeDreamer
Moving her to the garage was a good call. I'd gently clean the vent, apply an antiseptic like Vetericyn, and monitor her closely. If she's not pooping, she might be egg bound.
Re: My 3 Months Old Pullet with Bloody Vent & Missing Feathers
Posted: Wed Feb 12, 2025 6:16 am
by Eggnigma
Does she have access to enough space, enrichment, and protein? Sometimes, overcrowding or boredom can trigger aggressive pecking, even in large spaces. Feather loss often starts with pecking behavior.
Re: My 3 Months Old Pullet with Bloody Vent & Missing Feathers
Posted: Wed Feb 12, 2025 3:50 pm
by DownyDreamer
If she's eating and drinking fine but still seems off, I'd look into worms. A worm load could cause weakness and irritation around the vent area, making her a target for pecking.
Re: My 3 Months Old Pullet with Bloody Vent & Missing Feathers
Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2025 2:29 pm
by ChloeCrest
If she's lethargic and not pooping, she could be suffering from a digestive blockage or an infection. Try offering a bit of water with electrolytes to help perk her up.
Re: My 3 Months Old Pullet with Bloody Vent & Missing Feathers
Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2025 10:45 am
by DustBathQueen
I'd gently feel her abdomen. If she seems swollen or uncomfortable, she might have an internal issue, like ascites or a developing reproductive problem.
Re: My 3 Months Old Pullet with Bloody Vent & Missing Feathers
Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2025 5:28 am
by FeatheredPhilosopher
Could she have coccidiosis? Lethargy and vent irritation can sometimes indicate early symptoms. If she's not eating or drinking, I'd consider starting Corid as a precaution.
Re: My 3 Months Old Pullet with Bloody Vent & Missing Feathers
Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2025 3:13 am
by ChickenChick
EggstraSpecial wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 12:07 am
Today during my routine egg collection, I noticed that one of my 3-month-old pullets had a bloody vent and her tail feathers were plucked out. I suspect that the feather loss might be from pecking, possibly triggered by the bloody vent. However, Im also concerned because her vent appears much more open than I would expect for a pullet her age.
She lives in a 530-square-foot greenhouse with 56 other chickens and is on a high-protein diet consisting of a mix of high-protein layer feed and unmedicated chick feed. She seems lethargic, but there is no discharge, prolapse, or visible tissue damagejust the bloody vent and missing feathers. I also haven't noticed any feces from her.
Ive moved her into our insulated (but not heated) garage to observe her more closely and see if shes eating or drinking. I also noticed that the skin under her vent seems thin.
Does anyone have any insight into what could be causing this? Could this be pecking-related, an internal issue, or something else entirely?
Any advice on treatment or what to watch for next would be greatly appreciated!
The bloody vent and feather loss could be from pecking, but the open vent is concerning. Have you checked for a prolapse or internal laying issues?
Re: My 3 Months Old Pullet with Bloody Vent & Missing Feathers
Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2025 7:47 am
by LiamLeghorn
Do you have roosters in the flock? If she was accidentally overbred, she could have sustained an injury that led to the vent trauma. Keep an eye on her for infection.