Dirty Bum

[McGoo]

My Gertie seems to get a dirty bum frequently. Feathers in her rump seem to clump together and collect dirt. I've cleaned it with warm water on occassion and found no signs of any other problems. She is a RIR, 8 mos old, lays very frequently, and has a rosy, though not red red comb, and I use DE in the nesting boxes and dust her as well. She is a real little workhorse who loves to scratch and dig all day long and doesn't seem to be lethargic in anyway.

Any ideas what causes this? ...or what I should be looking for?

Thanks all!

 

[Astrid]

No answers, McGoo, but I"m interested in the answer. I've got four hens, two Buffs and two Plymouth Rocks. The Rocks get dirty bottoms, the Buffs are fluffly and clean. One Rock is worse than the other, and all are healthy otherwise. This has been going on for a couple of months here.

Astrid

 

[dlhunicorn]

my silkies when broody will sometimes get this problem...give them live culture yogurt may help any intestinal upset that might be causing this...

 

[SeaChick]

My BR and BO get this. Occasionally the EE. The Australorp, sex link, and SLW are always clean and fluffy.