Prolapse in Chickens: How to Spot, Treat, and Prevent It
Prolapse in Chickens: How to Spot, Treat, and Prevent It
Prolapse in chickens is a distressing condition that not only impacts their health but also deeply affects us as chicken owners who care for our hens like family. Identifying the signs of prolapse in chickens early, understanding how to treat it, and taking preventive measures are essential for ensuring your flock’s well-being.
This quick guide outlines key steps to help you maintain your chickens’ health and alleviate some of your concerns.
What is a Prolapse in a Chicken?
Prolapse in chickens can manifest in various ways, and recognizing these symptoms can lead to timely intervention. Early action is critical.
A prolapse happens when the inside part of a chicken’s bottom (called the vent or cloaca) comes out instead of staying inside where it belongs. This can look like a red, swollen lump sticking out of the chicken’s rear. It’s sometimes called “vent prolapse” or “blowout.”
What Should I do?
Immediately upon discovering a prolapse, isolate the hen from the flock. Clean and irrigate the tissue, removing all debris, feces, and egg material. After cleaning, inspect the tissue for any damage.
What Causes It?
Prolapse can happen for a variety of reasons
🐔 Laying eggs that are too big – If a hen lays a very large egg, it can stretch her vent too much.
🐔 Laying eggs too often – Some hens lay eggs almost every day, which can make their vent weak over time.
🐔 Not enough calcium – Chickens need calcium (found in eggshells, oyster shells, or special feed) to keep their muscles strong, including the muscles that help push out eggs.
Chickens that experience prolapse often need specific care to avoid future occurrences. Regular monitoring is key.
🐔 Being overweight – Overweight chickens might struggle more with egg-laying, leading to problems.
🐔 Straining too hard – If a hen pushes too hard while laying an egg or pooping, her vent might pop out.
What Does It Look Like?
Many factors contribute to prolapse in chickens, including diet and stress levels, making proper care even more important.
🚨 A red, puffy lump sticking out of the vent
🚨 It may be dry or bleeding if the chicken has been pecking at it
🚨 The chicken may act tired, weak, or in pain
Effective treatment for prolapse in chickens involves understanding the underlying causes and adjusting care methods accordingly.
To prevent prolapse in chickens, ensure they have a balanced diet and a calm environment to thrive.
How to Help a Chicken with a Prolapse
1️⃣ Separate the Chicken 🏠 – Other chickens might peck at the prolapse, making it worse. Move her to a quiet, clean place.
2️⃣ Clean the Area 🚿 – Use warm water and mild soap to gently clean the prolapse.
3️⃣ Apply medical-grade lubricant or water-based lubricant.
NOTE! If desperate and only if you have nothing else you could use honey or coconut oil but they are not slippery enough and can dry out tissues.
It may help slightly to reduce swelling and make easier to push back in.
4️⃣ Gently Push It Back In ✋ – With clean hands (or gloves), carefully push the prolapse back inside. (Wash hands thoroughly after this process!)
5️⃣ Keep Her Calm and Rested 😴 – Give her soft bedding and let her rest.
6️⃣ Use a Warm Bath 🌡️ – If the prolapse won’t stay in, a warm bath can relax her muscles.
7️⃣ Feed Her the Right Food 🥚 – Give her extra calcium (crushed eggshells, oyster shells, or supplements) to strengthen her muscles.
🐣Tip!
Pet Chickens: Feed good feed. Do not feed too much or any junk foods to chickens. Complete feed gives a chicken all of its needs.
How to Prevent Prolapse in Chickens
✅ Make sure your chickens have enough calcium for strong muscles
✅ Don’t let them get overweight
✅ Avoid feeding too many treats (stick to healthy chicken food only)
✅ Limit bright lights at night (too much light makes them lay more eggs, which can stress them out)
If a prolapse is really bad (very swollen, bleeding a lot, or keeps coming back), a vet might need to help.
🐣Tip!
IN THE Summer Months: Reduce amount of daylight hours to restrict over production of eggs. In a hen that has had a prolapse before and you no longer want eggs from her: simply restrict daylight hours.
For more help try here
Frequently Asked Questions:
How old is your chicken?
🐔How oldis your chicken? If it is over five or more, it may not be worth the expense to treat. Putting the chicken out of her misery can be kinder if she suffers from chronic prolapse. If your hen is healthy and has a good chance of recovery, that is a different situation requiring immediate attention. See above for what you can do to prevent prolapse in chickens.
Should I give her comfort foods?
No. Do the opposite. Reduce food for 24 hours but provide plenty of water to support recovery from prolapse in chickens.
Aftercare:
Monitor closely – Prolapse in chickens CAN RE-OCCUR, especially in egg-laying hens.
Restrict laying – Reduce light exposure to slow egg production temporarily.
Consider a vent stitch – A vet can place a stitch to keep the vent closed while healing (only for severe cases).
Address underlying causes – Check for obesity, large eggs, or infections.
If the prolapse is severe, persistent, or shows signs of infection, veterinary care for prolapse in chickens is necessary and urgent!
