Prolapsed Chicken Vent

A vent prolapse, also known as a "blowout," occurs when a portion of the hen's vent protrudes outside the chicken's body. Breeds and crosses that tend to be fat (such as meat breeds) are prone to vent prolapse.

Despite the fact that vent prolapse itself is not fatal, the underlying problems can be. Birds who cannibalize a flock member's prolapsed vent may also develop other forms of cannibalism, such as the picking of feathers. Humans and other chickens cannot contract vent prolapse, but chronic problems may occur.

The symptoms of a prolapsed vent are not often mimicked by other conditions, diseases, or illnesses.

Vent Prolapse Symptoms & Signs​

• Lack of appetite, lethargy & huddling with fluffed feathers are common signs of the disease.
• An external protrusion of the reproductive tract is a diagnostic sign.
• A hen's vent may also be bloody or torn if it has been cannibalized by flock mates.

Factors That Cause Vent Prolapse​

The reproductive tract naturally everts during laying, but if the protruding tissue fails to retract back into the vent as it should, then the problem is prolapse. It is possible for any hen in your flock to suffer from vent prolapse.

This includes young ones when they have just started laying and are passing eggs that are too large for them, or older ones when they have lost their smooth muscle tone. Smooth muscle dysfunction can occur in hens that are nutritionally deficient, particularly in calcium & magnesium.

The most frequently affected breeds are those prone to obesity, those that do not have adequate space to exercise and forage, and those that are exposed to excessive light. The problem is especially prevalent in poultry factory farms where early egg-laying is encouraged.

A prolapsed vent in a chick can occur:

• When cleaning a pasty vent
• When a chick gets squished under another chick
• When it strains too much because of heat or constant cheeping
• Or sometimes when the chick is handled roughly.

Preventing Vent Prolapse​

• Make sure your birds receive proper nutrition to prevent other health issues as well.
• You should not add any light to the coop until at least two months after pullets have begun laying.
• Make sure your hens have plenty of space to exercise in the run.
• Keep your hens active by moving their coop to fresh pasture daily if it is a tractor-style coop.
• The treats your birds receive should not be high in calories if they are overweight.

For chicks:

• Clean pasty vents very carefully
• Keep space under the heater and provide the correct temperature so chicks don't crowd each other or overheat
• Supervise young children when handling chicks to prevent injury.

Treating Vent Prolapse​

Treatment at home​

Whenever parts of your hen's cloaca appear through her vent, please separate her to prevent her from being pecked/cannibalized. Hold off on feeding--at least for a while. By withholding feed for a few days, and placing your hen on a corn diet you can give her a much-needed break from egg production, giving her stressed vent and reproductive tract a break. When you withhold food, you might consider providing her with a vitamin supplement in her water in case a nutritional deficiency is the cause.

In a warm room, place your hen in a warm water bath and add a bit of antiseptic such as Dettol or Savlon. Gently rinse the vent area and remove any debris. Using petroleum jelly or antibiotic ointment will provide you with lubrication. You can wear latex or non-latex gloves. You should avoid ointments that contain painkillers ending in "caine" since chickens should not be given these. The protrusion can then be gently pushed back inside the hen's vent with a finger.

In the case of a prolapse caused by pecking or picking, consult a veterinarian right away. Using aspirin to treat a picked vent will not relieve the pain as the blood can be thinned and bleeding can increase as a result. Your hen may need pain medication from a veterinarian.

Treatment by veterinarians​

The vent of your hen may be damaged due to prolapse or pickout, which can be repaired by a vet. Veterinarians are also better equipped to deal with prolapses that are larger and may not remain inside a hen's body for long. In addition, he or she may prescribe antibiotics to treat infections or prevent pain.

Conclusion​

When detected early, it is usually treatable and the bird can fully recover. Recovery is dependent on the severity of the prolapse and the extent of any pecking damage. It is important to monitor hens who have experienced prolapse regularly for symptoms of recurrence.