Author Topic: red bottom on hens (Read 3309 times)

PJB · « **on:** August 13, 2013, 12:36:57 pm »

a couple of my hens have bald red bottoms. Is this a sign of mite?
Their combs are red and apart from the baldness they seem to be ok
I have treated hen house and the hens.
Anyone had similar problems?

Thanks

colliewobbles · « **Reply #1 on:** August 13, 2013, 12:37:43 pm »

Can be a signal that a prolapse might occur

HesterF · « **Reply #2 on:** August 13, 2013, 01:34:33 pm »

Maybe lice? They tend to cluster on the feather shaft around the vent area so maybe the hens pull their feathers out??? Or just part of the moult? I don't think it's specifically a sign of mites although I have one Orpington who used to sleep in the nest box and I noticed she had bleeding from her vent one morning. Rushed her off to the vets in a panic but he said it was external only and then I noticed some mites. Treated her, creosoted the house et voila - no more injuries - think they were irritating her at night so she was pecking at herself to 'ease' the itching.

In conclusion, not much use!

H

PJB · « **Reply #3 on:** August 13, 2013, 02:52:10 pm »

Its difficult to tell isnt it, the hen does not seem in distress or anything but i will obviously keep a watchful eye. I have just dumped an old wooded hutch/house i kept inside the hen run
in case the mites were living in this. The others seem ok though so i will just wait and see.
Thanks for the info.

chrismahon · « **Reply #4 on:** August 13, 2013, 09:44:24 pm »

Have you a cockerel? We have a few favourites which develop red bums due I think to 'overspray'.

17AndCounting · « **Reply #5 on:** August 14, 2013, 10:33:55 pm »

We have noticed this due to feather pecking. I've seen them do it to each other! I've tried purple spray and all sorts but I think it's a bad habit they've got into.

They lay well normally (sometimes 5 eggs from 4 girls!) And seem lively and animated.

Hevxxx99 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 16, 2013, 11:16:47 pm »

I've had some hens with red rumps when they moulted. Most notably on a White Sussex. It appeared to be much the same as the red on the combs, not inflamation or infection at all on close inspection. Most unsightly, but not a problem and the feathers grew back eventually, albeit surprisingly slowly.

Possibly the same thing if they seem happy enough?