Poo around her butt.

Both of my chickens have lines of poo that is under there vent on there fluffy feathers.
Is this bad? They are both acting normally. And should I wash there butts? How could I do that?
Thanks,
Zoë

Depending on how dirty it is.. If it is really caked on there, I would wash it off. Check for mites/lice as well. Apple Cider Vinegar in their water helps prevent this.

Not a big deal usually in older chickens. As long as it is not pasting the vent shut. Usually it's just unsightly and unsanitary. You don't want the poo transferring to your eggs.

Apple cider vinegar helps prevent lice and mites??? How much do you add to there drinking water???
Do you have it in their water 24/7 365 days a year???
Thanks!!!!

It doesn't prevent lice and mites so much as helps their poo not be runny so it sticks in the feathers. Like Aoxa said though, it's not a big deal normally unless it's caked and wet. You'll see that the fluffier the butt, the more they're gonna have that "racing stripe."

galanie said:

It doesn't prevent lice and mites so much as helps their poo not be runny so it sticks in the feathers. Like Aoxa said though, it's not a big deal normally unless it's caked and wet. You'll see that the fluffier the butt, the more they're gonna have that "racing stripe."

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I should have worded that better. It helps prevent caked on poop. Lice and mites can also increase buildup - that's what I meant to say.

Yes, my cochins are the worst for having poo in their butt fluff. Probably because they have such round touchies.

I don't do it 24/7 365 - as sometimes I run out, or it's not close enough to me - but for the most part I try to.

Hehe yes, my Orps almost all proudly display their stripes.
The EE's and Leghorn mixes don't have that problem at all, nor does my dark cornish.

Thanks sooo much for the info everybody!!!!! I just added Apple cider vinegar to there water And am considering cleaning one of my hens stripes.

Oh and as far as how much, technically it's 1 or 2 TBSP per gallon. But most of us just put a splash or sploosh or sometimes even a glug. So long as they'll still drink it, it's fine. Best to use the kind with the "mother" as is Braggs.

galanie said:

Oh and as far as how much, technically it's 1 or 2 TBSP per gallon. But most of us just put a splash or sploosh or sometimes even a glug. So long as they'll still drink it, it's fine. Best to use the kind with the "mother" as is Braggs.

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I NEVER measure mine lol. I just make sure the water is coloured a bit - and everyone drinks it no problem. You can not OD on ACV. I like that

Note - Don't ever leave the ACV with the cap off. Bugs are attracted to the pure form (especially fruit flies).

I use a local brand that is all natural product. http://www.stirlingfruitfarms.ca/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=26
We don't have Braggs here. Only No-Name in the grocery stores, so I assume this local brand is better than that.

It costs me $6.50 for a gallon. That gallon will last me a month. I use it in every waterer and in the duck pool (since my chickens love duck flavoured water).

aoxa said:

I NEVER measure mine lol. I just make sure the water is coloured a bit - and everyone drinks it no problem. You can not OD on ACV. I like that
Note - Don't ever leave the ACV with the cap off. Bugs are attracted to the pure form (especially fruit flies).
I use a local brand that is all natural product. http://www.stirlingfruitfarms.ca/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=26
We don't have Braggs here. Only No-Name in the grocery stores, so I assume this local brand is better than that.
It costs me $6.50 for a gallon. That gallon will last me a month. I use it in every waterer and in the duck pool (since my chickens love duck flavoured water).

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$6.50 a gallon? I'm moving to Canada! hehe. Braggs is a lot more expensive, try $6.50 a quart. So I make my own but that's another topic.