Buff Orpington with Pooy and Muddy Bum

[Sebright18]

My Buff Orpington, has a very muddy and pooy bum, It is all clogged and I dont want to wash her because it is very cold in England and I dont want her to catch a chill. Any Ideas?

Many Thanks

 

[guesswhatchickenbutt]

I am no use to you whatsoever, but I just posted the exact same question this morning. I have a BO with a pooey muddy bum. However, we live in FL so I did give her a bath. But I worry that it's a sign of a bigger problem.

 

[Sebright18]

Promblem Like?

 

[guesswhatchickenbutt]

I don't know what problem, which is why I posted a question about it. Since my hens are 2 1/2 and have never had pooey bums, now one has a very pooey bum, I hope it isn't a symptom of a chicken illness of some sort...

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Well I have seen this before in a healthy hen. I just periodically washed off her bottom when the weather permitted.

However, diarrhea can always mean worms, so be on the lookout for weight loss and lethargy.

If your hen cannot be washed since it is too cold, you can pluck feathers out (ouch!). Some do this so the poo doesn't reaccumulate. If your hen appears healthy and is just fine in all other respects, I'd not worry. It does sometimes happen and there are many threads on here about healthy hens with a poopy bottom. (You can also use the hair dryer to dry a hen after washing but they can still get cold after this...depends on the weather. Use your judgement.)

Diarrhea can point to other diseases as well. Here is a link:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044
diagnosis charts at bottom