At a loss for poopy bottoms

[amama]

I have 2.5 yr old Cinnamon Queen hens. They are mostly free range (or were until we got a rooster that likes to keep them close to the coop).
First, I know that sometimes chickens just have messy bottoms, and some more than others. But our hens were looking great until all of a sudden seemingly they all have messy poopy bottoms. The eggs are gross, and I'm concerned about why specifically, as we're about to raise/add new chicks to the flock. I've looked them over for any sign of lice or mites, and see nothing. I have looked at their droppings, and see nothing concerning; no worms or blood. It's been about 2-3 weeks that I've been checking. If they're fine, I'm fine, but I'm worried because a few years ago, we had beautiful Ameraucanas that had no signs of anything (not even poopy butt) and we sold them because we had a predator taking them daily, and the buyer contacted me and said they had worms.
Do you think that's what is going on again? It's my understanding that I'd see some sign of poor health, or worms in the droppings if so, but I didn't before. I did dust with poultry dust, but don't like to medicate unneccesarily.
Thanks for any advice.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Sometimes worms are not visible in their poop. Try to get a fecal test done. Some non-exotic vets will do them for you.

 

[dawg53]

You dont want to wait for worms do to internal damage that's literally sucking the life out of your chickens. Worm them with Albendazole or Safeguard. As stated, gather a few droppings and put them in a ziplock bag and take them to a vet and have them look at the sample under a microscope for worm eggs. Or, skip the vet and just go ahead and worm your birds like I do.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Or, skip the vet and just go ahead and worm your birds like I do.

Since the OP's flock has had worms in the past, I think it's okay to skip the vet just this once. But it's not advisable to worm regularly if you've never done any testing. Just FYI.

 

[amama]

Ok,thanks for the advice. I didn't know some worms wouldn't show in the droppings. I think our local vet does do fecal testing.

 

[Eggcessive]

Worm eggs are microscopic, so that is what the fecal float looks for. Roundworms and tapeworm segments (which are more rare) are the only ones visible in droppings. Others are too small to see. Many vets won’t do them unless they see the chicken as a patient. Mine will, but it costs around $40 for a fecal float. Combine some droppings in a ziplock bag, and take it fresh. Albendazole 0.08 ml per pound, or 0.5 ml for a 4-6 pound chicken given orally is a safe and easy wormer. Repeat it after 10 days. Or you could get SafeGuard Liquid Goat Wormer or horse paste, and give 0.23 ml per pound orally for 5 consecutive days. Those have a 14 day egg withdrawal time. Aquasol can be used without an egg withdrawal time, but only treats roundworms. Roundworms, cecal worms, capillary worms, gapeworms and tapeworms are possible worms they can get.

 

[dawg53]

Since the OP's flock has had worms in the past, I think it's okay to skip the vet just this once. But it's not advisable to worm regularly if you've never done any testing. Just FYI.

There are worm eggs in the soil. Chickens constantly peck the soil and they pick up Roundworm eggs and swallow them, starting the worms lifecycle all over again. It's called the "Direct Lifecycle" of worms. Check it out when you get a chance.
I worm my birds monthly. Our soil is worm soup down here in southeast Georgia and north Florida.
(I skipped January and most of February due to well below freezing temps and the ground was frozen.)
Spring time is worm time, everything else comes alive as well.
Tapeworms infect chickens via a host, an earthworm or insect are the main vectors for poultry tapeworms.
Keep in mind that not all insects will be tapeworm infected. This is called the "Indirect Lifecycle" of worms.
Since you live in Vermont, you may not have to worm your birds as often due to your cool/cold soil lasting more months than us.