Dirty Bum Feathers, No Diarrhea

[Aunt Angus]

Hi, my BYC peeps!

I've searched many, many threads, but I can't find an answer to my girls' issue. This is my first flock, so forgive my ignorance, and this is not an emergency. Wasn't sure where else to post this...

My Cochin and my BPR have poopy bum feathers. Their poop is fine - not runny at all. I have bathed my Cochin a couple of times, and I trim her bum feathers frequently. My BPR only started having this issue recently. They eat pellet and free range for several hours a day. I give them a handful of BOSS or worms once per week. They eat/drink/run/lay/behave/squawk and carry on like their normal diva selves, and their eggs are very clean. I really think it's just that their droppings leave residue. Ew. I worry about infection if the poopy feathers sit next to their skin for extended time. And it mars my otherwise perfectly white Cochin (except for the dirty feet that I don't think I can avoid in this rainy weather).

My question is: is there something I can do/should be doing? Or is there a way to get them to use toilet paper? Or a bidet?

I will try to get pics tomorrow if I get home before dark.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

The visual of a chicken on a bidet made me laugh out loud!

You don’t mention age or if this is a new problem. Has anything changed feed wise? If no changes then I’d check for lice/mites. I recently had a run in with creepy crawlies myself and a dirty bum was what tipped me off.

Sometimes they just don’t move the feathers out of the way enough. A trim of the fluff can be needed.

Hopefully that’s all it is but see what others say.

 

[Meg-in-MT]

Hello! Have you noticed any white crud around their vents? Have you checked for mites?

Vent gleet was pretty prominent when I had a mite infestation. I was not diligent about checking. But I do have a girl that I've treated for vent gleet that has no mites. I gave her a wash, rubbed her up with NuStock, isolated her for a few days and put her back in her coop. Seems right as rain now. Although it's only been two weeks.

I don't know why she has it. I assume she's got a bacterial imbalance.

 

[Aunt Angus]

They are about 6 months old. I checked them for lice and didn't see anything, but I'll look again every night for a few days. My Cochin has always been a lil messy. My BPR's dirty bum is new-ish. Started when she started laying. No new food.

Bacterial imbalance. Didn't think of that. Would probiotics help, maybe? Or plain yogurt?

Another thought: Would it hurt to treat them for mites?

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

Wouldn't hurt them.
It does sound like you have some chronic dirty butts. A good pair of scissors and a head lamp may be in your future.

Do they teach a class on fluff trimming? LOL

 

[Cragg Klefor]

If a non-invasive treatment such as spray/dust I don't see what harm it would do to treat for lice/mites anyway.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Wouldn't hurt them.
It does sound like you have some chronic dirty butts. A good pair of scissors and a head lamp may be in your future.

Do they teach a class on fluff trimming? LOL

I've already got both dedicated chicken scissors and a hat with a built in light - LOL!

I'll treat for buggies. I was thinking I'd do it in the spring when I worm them. But I can do it now. "Mite" as well, am I right?!

I'll still post pics tomorrow, just for posterity's sake. Ha ha!

 

[Aunt Angus]

Ooh - since I've got an audience...

Dust or spray?

 

[Cragg Klefor]

Ooh - since I've got an audience...

Dust or spray?

I find spray easier, but if cold dust is best.
Spray for the coop either ways.
Permethrin of course!

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

I'm an Elector PSP user. Expensive as all get out but one and done!

It never goes bad and that little bottle of gold will treat 100s if not 1000s of chickens.