Dirty chicken butts

[mamalu]

At least 3 of my 6 ladies have really dirty butts. What might this indicate and what to do? They range from 2 - 5 years old. Eggs are normal, no change in diet.

 

[Eggcessive]

What is their diet including any treats or table scraps? Are they drinking more water than usual? That can cause more runny poops. Have you wormed them recently? First get them cleaned up, and a brief warm soapy butt bath in a dish pan or rubbermaid tub just up to the vents is good. Trim any excess fluff around the vent that gets soiled. Examine for any lice and eggs or mites under the vent and belly. Fly strike, a deadly infestation of maggots caused by flies laying eggs on soiled vents in warm weather, is preventable. Chicken feed should make up 90% of their diet. Limit treats, table scraps, prevent food spills which may become moldy. Worming with SafeGuard liquid goat wormer 1/4 ml for 5 consecutive days is a good practice. Probiotics or a spoonful of plain yogurt with live cultures can be helpful. I recommend plain clean water changed daily in summer.