big mat of feathers/poop around vent

ccat1 said:

I am sure you know what I am talking about by the title.
I have a Black Copper Maran about 8 months old. She seems and acts perfectly healthy, which I believe she is, but she has a matted mess of feathers around her vent. It is definitely not on her vent, but on the feathers under and out from it.
I have noticed this the past week. It has gotten better but today it is a really ball of matted poop/feathers.
I took a warm cloth and basically tried messaging the mat and pull some of it out/off.
It did pull off any fresh poop but there is still a huge bunch there.
What do I try next? I am sure someone knows (hopefully) a simple cure.
Do you cut away the feathered mass? I don't want her downy feathers gone.
Again, she seems very healthy and doesn't seemed bothered by this, but I know it can become bad. She eats well, lays each day and is a happy chick.
Thanks in advance.
ccat1

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ccat1 said:

Well, we brought Sam inside and sprayed the matted mess with the sprayer at the kitchen sink. It loosened just one of the little mats, so I let the water run on and around it for another few mins. It never seemed to loosen so I cut the mess out.
It obviouslly left a little void of feathers about an inch under her vent. We dried her with the hair dryer and put her back in the yard.
She seems fine and my wife spoiled her with a huge handful of mealworms.
She did groom the area and has that area looking almost puffed up and normal.
I am sure she will be fine.

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