Bloody rear end in pheasants.

[Tomo-1]

When feeding today i noticed a few red backsides. Very small percentage of birds.

 

Not hen pecking on back, more around the vent area.

 

Apart from that everything healthy and running around as expected, faeces normal, appetite normal.

 

We have had a lot of rain lately.

 

Is this anything to worry about?

 

Thanks.

[TIDES EDGE]

Sounds like feather pecking by other poults are they still in a pen ?

[Paul223]

Vent pecking will lead to mortality, so definitely something to be concerned about.

Reasons that immediately come to mind...

Too many birds in an area

Poor quality of feed

Not enough feed or water staitions

Lacking certain vitamin or mineral

Boredom

Illness

 

Once learnt it's hard to stop! They get a taste for it.

[rimfire4969]

as above.

 

I would look into everything mentioned, what age are they? As I would get them out of the pen asap.

[Tomo-1]

Thanks for your replies. The pen is plenty large enough, good quality feed and water etc.

 

All the same as the last couple of years.

 

Didn't notice bloody vents today, no dead birds.

 

All looking good. I will stay vigilant as ever. Most are out now and returning nicely to roost.

 

Still on grower. Will start the switch in a week or so.

 

Thanks again.

[Paul223]

You may want to keep them on the grower a little longer if they are vent pecking, stress from moving to wheat will increase pecking plus the weather really isn't good