4 out of 6 new layers developed poopy butt. Why?

[redinator]

This is staggered over time; it's not happening all at once. Occurs within a week of starting to lay. No problem beforehand. It's not vent gleet or worms, as far as I can tell. The timing is also too coincidental. It's almost like the droppings get a little more watery and stickier. Of course, it always happens with my fluffiest birds (Australorps and Pekin bantams). I try to keep the feathers trimmed in that area. Next step is trying some probiotics and cutting back on fruit/vegetable treats (which they rarely get anyway).

Anyone else see this? I've noticed they'll eat and drink A LOT more before starting to lay. They'll also start chowing down on oyster shell. Maybe this change overwhelms their system a bit?

This may seem a bit off topic but I discovered a trick with my latest batch of chicks that had pasty butt. I poured over thread after thread saying to clean them with warm water soak and pick it off. That's all well and good for a one and done deal, but a couple of chicks had really fluffy rear ends and it would continually get stuck and dried and I'd have to start over.

I came across one thread (I wish I had saved it) that mentioned putting olive oil on their rear ends to prevent it from getting stuck it the first place. It also worked better at cleaning them since I used room temp olive oil, let it set for 20-30 minutes and the poop soften so it was easier to remove and I didn't have to get them wet. The chicks also seemed to start cleaning themselves better since they didn't like the feel of the oil on them. Worth a shot I'd say.

 

[thecatumbrella]

This may seem a bit off topic but I discovered a trick with my latest batch of chicks that had pasty butt. I poured over thread after thread saying to clean them with warm water soak and pick it off. That's all well and good for a one and done deal, but a couple of chicks had really fluffy rear ends and it would continually get stuck and dried and I'd have to start over.

I came across one thread (I wish I had saved it) that mentioned putting olive oil on their rear ends to prevent it from getting stuck it the first place. It also worked better at cleaning them since I used room temp olive oil, let it set for 20-30 minutes and the poop soften so it was easier to remove and I didn't have to get them wet. The chicks also seemed to start cleaning themselves better since they didn't like the feel of the oil on them. Worth a shot I'd say.

I have not heard that one before! Kind of an interesting technique, isn't it. Going to do a deeper dive on this (since it's full grown birds, not chicks), but thank you for the idea!