I just lost a hen from a prolapsed vent after 2 weeks of baths, preparation H and antibiotics. She developed breathing difficulties. She was an older girl. Now I have another hen who is bleeding. I found a trail of blood on the deck today. I check all of the vents of the hens and found no vent protrusions, although there has been blood on one egg each day so I know there is a problem among them. Are there any other signs to look for if there is a vent issue? It is odd that I should have this trouble twice in one month after having had this flock for almost 2 years now.

interesting sandy. i knew the vit k treatment but i didn't realize it was heparin! which leads me to my mystery, though i never would use poison bait. it is all this talk of rats and mice. someone is trying to move into my romeo's sleeping box in the shed. but my reason for posting is quite hilarious- he went to investigate why my 15 some pound bag of composted manure was moving. i am standing at the back door and hear "SQUEEK!" i wish i saw it, but alas i had only my tshirt and undies on and it was still daylight. hey, i work midnights, ok? :) i had a mental picture of it jumping in the air and squeaking at the same time. the big oaf ran out of the shed, belly to the ground, and wanted back in the house. that surprised me. my old man at romeo's age would have had his whiskers twitching in anticipation. so, my mystery continues....though maybe in the process we have discouraged our visitor. i also took the top off his sleeping box to make it less inviting. i have found no rear projectiles. i am also considering leaving the feeders empty for awhile. i would hate to do that. just sharing a story. i didn't want to start a thread just for it. it almost applies.

perennials that come from deep in the ground.. require said ground to warm to the level of the root zone ... to start active3 growth .... a few days of warm air.. does not warm the soil to depth ... and proof of that.. is the fact that the plant has not shown yet ... even in my z5 ... they usually pop up.. weeks after i have given up hope.. lol ... being that February ended mere hours ago .. even in z7.. i suspect you are a bit early in worrying about whether it is still alive ... mark the spot so you dont go planting annuals over the spot.. and give it another month or so ... all that said.. maybe luxuriant is different than others... but how much different can it be... be patient ... its only 3/1 ... your spring fever does not make plants pop out of the earth .... warm earth does ... and how many days ... at how much heat ... at the root zone ... for the plant to become active .. is most likely .. not known .... which is otherwise known as the vagaries of mother nature .... or at least.. that is what i call it ... ken

You probably need a test light to see what is going on. I agree with the previous suggestions that wrong parts may have been installed or connected improperly. Check ground wires for continuity. Also look at the safety switches to see if they are adjusted or packed with grass. Problems like this require in depth knowledge of the electrical system. This was a very nice older mower that is well worth maintaining. The horizontal shaft engine has been out of production for about 10 years. The blower housing and baffles on the engine should be removed to clean the cooling fins.