Dirty Hen Butt

[Phyllis7]

I have a chicken that has had a dirty for a few days. She also gas been making more noises, low sounding. I've inspected her wings and vent and they don't have more or live, and her vent isn't poofy or red. She eats and drinks normal. I've noticed that she may be starting to be broody. She is about 10 months old. What could be the issue?

 

[dunnmom]

Could be just like you think, onset of broodiness, but sometimes a looser cecal poop will stick to the feathers, broody or not. You might just wash her butt, or trim the feathers, but it shouldn't be necessary if it's not blocking her vent.

 

[oceansunset73]

I have one hen that has very loose stools too. I've tried changing her feed three times and not giving her any treats and still, she always ends up with a messy bottom no matter what. None of my others have issues, just Cocoa.

Therefore, I have to bath her once a month to clean her up. It's not a pretty job, but it's necessary. If yours gets too bad, you will need to help as well either by giving her a bath or trimming her feathers to prevent fly strike.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Greetings Phyllis7,

It is not uncommon for a chicken to have loose stools every now, and then. However, if it goes on for more than a week, you should collect a poop sample, and have it tested for internal parasites. Chickens will often have poopy butt, when they have internal parasites. You can treat for this, depending on the load and/or type of internal parasite. A local vet can have the fecal float test done for you.

If the test rules out internal parasites, then you can look at other things, like diet, or the beginning of an illness.


God Bless

 

[Chikkiepoo]

I have a chicken that has had a dirty for a few days. She also gas been making more noises, low sounding. I've inspected her wings and vent and they don't have more or live, and her vent isn't poofy or red. She eats and drinks normal. I've noticed that she may be starting to be broody. She is about 10 months old. What could be the issue?

My Orpington has had the same dirty butt problem since she was old enough to grow feathers, so it might be a different cause, but I had her droppings tested by vet and no parasites. She is active, eats well, and otherwise looks healthy so I have given up worrying. I just put her in the shower every few weeks. I use a hand held sprayer with tepid water and brush her feathers with a soft toothbrush to knock off dingleberries. Then I wrap her gently in a towel and hold her for a few minutes to dry. I don't use soap, but there probably is some way to do that. This hen is very tame and sits still during her showers, so it's easier than washing my dogs!
i have recently started to put a teaspoon of cider vinegar per gallon in their water thinking it might be a digestive situation, but no change yet.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My Orpington has had the same dirty butt problem since she was old enough to grow feathers, so it might be a different cause, but I had her droppings tested by vet and no parasites. She is active, eats well, and otherwise looks healthy so I have given up worrying. I just put her in the shower every few weeks. I use a hand held sprayer with tepid water and brush her feathers with a soft toothbrush to knock off dingleberries. Then I wrap her gently in a towel and hold her for a few minutes to dry. I don't use soap, but there probably is some way to do that. This hen is very tame and sits still during her showers, so it's easier than washing my dogs!
i have recently started to put a teaspoon of cider vinegar per gallon in their water thinking it might be a digestive situation, but no change yet.

Some hens have a lot of fluff that catches the poop too or they are "lazy poopers" the poop is not expelled with enough force to clear fluff. Keeping them washed up is a good idea. You can also trim a little of the fluff if need be. Wear a mask if you trim, that fluff is very fine and floats everywhere, you don't want to breath it in.

 

[GossChicks]

Some hens have a lot of fluff that catches the poop too or they are "lazy poopers" the poop is not expelled with enough force to clear fluff. Keeping them washed up is a good idea. You can also trim a little of the fluff if need be. Wear a mask if you trim, that fluff is very fine and floats everywhere, you don't want to breath it in.

Would it work to just wash with a warm wet wash cloth and some baby shampoo?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Would it work to just wash with a warm wet wash cloth and some baby shampoo?

Yes, you can try washing up with a warm wet cloth with baby shampoo. Rinse well
Sometimes poop gets really stuck, so you may need to "soak" the clump of feathers to get them clean.
Remember, if it's cold outside, your hen needs to be dried very well before going back into the cold. If need be, use a hair dryer.