Cleaning a dirty vent, help?

[mountainbunny]

One of my one year old BO hens has a dirty looking vent and I'd like some advice on the easiest way to clean her backside. I don't have a way to put her in an actual tub so I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to clean off her bottom/vent area. She is acting perfectly normal and laying just fine. I'd just like to clean the area without having to soak her in a tub? Thanks for any tips!

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

One of my one year old BO hens has a dirty looking vent and I'd like some advice on the easiest way to clean her backside. I don't have a way to put her in an actual tub so I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to clean off her bottom/vent area. She is acting perfectly normal and laying just fine. I'd just like to clean the area without having to soak her in a tub? Thanks for any tips!

You could try gently wiping with a wet cloth, but I've had the best results soaking the hind end in a pail or tub of warm water because the poop gets pretty crusty and difficult to remove. Has she had a messy backside for a while?

 

[Suzi18]

I fill my kitchen sink with warm water and some epsom salt. Afterwards I clean up the sink and area around it with some antibacterial bleach cleaner. Works perfect

 

[Mrs Howey]

Soaking is easier on both you and the hen but you could use a damp wash cloth. Have a bowl of warm water nearby, hold onto the hen, dampen the wash cloth and hold on the area til the poo softens and can be wiped away. Repeat the process til the hen has a clean bum. It does take a while and you could possibly accidently pull on the feathers. I only use this method during the winter because it involves less water than a soak and has a faster dry time.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I agree, soaking is much easier. I found some dish pans at the Dollar Tree that work well, but it's hit or miss finding things like that for just a $1. Walmart is probably your best bet finding one.

If the poop is hardened into a ball (dingle berry) you may need to either crush it with pliers (yes, it works) or trim it out with scissors (I've done both). I just use Original Dawn dish liquid. If she is extremely fluffy, she may benefit from a little trim around the vent. Better to do it wet so you can see the skin and the fluff will fly everywhere when dry - so wear a mask if you trim dry fluff.

 

[mountainbunny]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I'll try to find a dish pan or something similar so I can soak her to get it clean.

 

[mountainbunny]

OK I soaked her in a warm Epson salt bath with a little Dawn. Managed to get all the dingle berries out. Had to pull and cut some of her feathers. Poor thing is drying off now. Luckily I had some of her favorite treats on hand... Fresh blueberries. I think she'll feel a lot better when she completely dries off. I hand towel dried her a bit but didn't want to stress her more.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm glad you were able to get her cleaned up. Blueberries are a bonus!

Mine expect something special if they have to endure "the tub"

 

[mountainbunny]

I'm glad too. Hope I don't have to do that again anytime soon. She is especially fluffy. I'm wondering if I should try to keep the feathers around her vent somewhat trimmed?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm glad too. Hope I don't have to do that again anytime soon. She is especially fluffy. I'm wondering if I should try to keep the feathers around her vent somewhat trimmed?

It won't hurt to trim her up a little. I have a couple that I trim. As mentioned previously, wear a mask if you trim dry. Don't need to breath that fine fuzz in.