dirty butt

two of my chickens have really dirty behinds, i dont worry that much about it, you could just wash it of then see if it comes back
 

i believe you mean Diatomaceous Earth, and no i dont but it sound quite good. You mean the "food grade Diatomaceous" that get rids of fleas worms etc etc dont you??
 

Some of our hens have rather messy rear ends. this is normal, and so is runny poop, as long as there is no blood. Watch for fly strike, though--hens with messy rears are prone to it.

What the heck is fly strike?

Fly strike is when flies land on the soiled feathers and lay their eggs.  The maggots hatch and begin feeding on the chicken itself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cafarmgirl 

Fly strike is when flies land on the soiled feathers and lay their eggs.  The maggots hatch and begin feeding on the chicken itself.

AVOID THIS AT ALL COSTS if anything this is one of the worst and when it becomes unrepairable its horrible (iv'e seen it on sheep ERHHH!!!!!!!!!)

We had a fly strike fatality. Didn't see it until it was too late.

My Rooster and one of my four pullets have developed a runny poop in the last four days.  Otherwise, they are eating well, look bright and healthy, and the one that lays is laying normally.  Their eyes/nose/ears are clear of any discharge. Other than the poo, they seem normal.

The development of this happened just one day after I changed the shavings in their coop.  I usually change the shavings once a week, but due to the mess from the runny poo's the new shavings are already pretty soiled. 

So when you say Runny poo's are normal, is this what I should expect now that they are mature? Previously the poos have been rather formed.  As for Flystrike, I suppose the only way to prevent this would be to clean the bums frequently?  The two who are experiencing the runny poo do in fact have slightly dirty rears.

I have tetracycline if you think that would help though Id love to avoid anitbiotics if possible.   I also usually give them plain yogurt, slightly past expiry once a week.  Is there something else I can give them to help harden the stool again?  For example, in Dogs when they have diahreah we give them pureed pumpkin and their poo will harden up.