Granny's gone and done it again

[Wishing4Wings]

I have something unusual going on with one of my hens. This is Santa. Maybe you can see it in the pic... she has chronic poopy butt.

The problem started a few years ago and has grown progressively worse. Took 3 of us to catch her this morning so I could unplug her, poor thing. The build up was like pasty butt in a chick. Cleaned and bathed her and noticed that she has some pin feathers actually growing out of her vent! This is new and no wonder the problem is worse. Last time she got a full clean up (last year) I noticed feathers growing very near the vent, but not inside like now.

Has anyone ever heard of this? Do you think I can pluck them? I'm worried about infection given the location. So far I have just been clipping, which doesn't work so well. She isn't able to keep herself clean.

 

[Cynthia12]

I have something unusual going on with one of my hens. This is Santa. Maybe you can see it in the pic... she has chronic poopy butt.
View attachment 2978180
The problem started a few years ago and has grown progressively worse. Took 3 of us to catch her this morning so I could unplug her, poor thing. The build up was like pasty butt in a chick. Cleaned and bathed her and noticed that she has some pin feathers actually growing out of her vent! This is new and no wonder the problem is worse. Last time she got a full clean up (last year) I noticed feathers growing very near the vent, but not inside like now.

Has anyone ever heard of this? Do you think I can pluck them? I'm worried about infection given the location. So far I have just been clipping, which doesn't work so well. She isn't able to keep herself clean.

Haven't heard of this. Sad. Me? Knowing me, I would have plucked. Then smeared some good ol neo in there. . Serious.

 

[Kelsykin]

My birthday was Dec 28th. But thanks!

Crud I marked it as today. Why did I put you today? And I'll remember now cause my youngest birthday is the day before.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

I tried googling that Wishing. I didnt find anything. Robert said its normal for creatures to grow like that and humans do it too but again, I didnt find anything.
What I am thinking is it might have something to do with positioning. Like, she was swollen last time you seen her and now she isnt so it may have always been there and its something genetic. Sorta like an inverted vent. I dont think I would pluck just because its a sensitive area prone to ripping.

 

[CapricornFarm]

I tried googling that Wishing. I didnt find anything. Robert said its normal for creatures to grow like that and humans do it too but again, I didnt find anything.
What I am thinking is it might have something to do with positioning. Like, she was swollen last time you seen her and now she isnt so it may have always been there and its something genetic. Sorta like an inverted vent. I dont think I would pluck just because its a sensitive area prone to ripping.

And if the feathers are plucked, they grow back faster.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Purple is just a heavy bloom on a brown egg, that's a curtesy from our Welsummers.

I know about the bloom, is why I put purple in quotes. They REALLY look purple in your basket!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Well it’s funny. First off the buyer was supposed to get them. Then it was turning into I don’t think he’ll take proper care of them they’ll die can you take some? Ok yes I can take some. Don’t have room for all. Maybe my neighbors would like some too - they’re down to two hens. (Said neighbors did take two buff orps)

Oh my neighbor is going to take my rooster and the old girls.

Ok cool. Good news.

Oh can you take more? No mil. I’m at my housing capacity limit. Ok I’ll see if my neighbor will take them all.

Good news the neighbor will take them all! (Right as we were loading up to go get ours/neighbors) uh. Ok. Wait. All, or all minus the ones we’re taking? Oh yeah come get yours.

So we go. Grab 8. (Remember two are going to our neighbors) you sure you don’t want more you should take more…meanwhile they were crammed pretty good into that crate and again. Roosting room. Don’t have enough. Tell her that’s all I can take. She starts stressing about her move and can we fit all her stuff (we’re borrowing a 26 ft box trailer from a friend’s brother) guarantee you we’ll be fine. And just to assuage her further I say if we ARENT fine, then we store some stuff in our shop and bring it up next time we visit you. No big deal, no need to panic. (This is how I roll. I think about a lot of probabilities)

And then the next morning. Phone call. CAN YOU TAKE MORE.

No but if you need help finding them good homes I know people.

No that’s ok.

Ugh!

Uhhhh. Moms.

 

[cherrynberry]

I have something unusual going on with one of my hens. This is Santa. Maybe you can see it in the pic... she has chronic poopy butt.
View attachment 2978180
The problem started a few years ago and has grown progressively worse. Took 3 of us to catch her this morning so I could unplug her, poor thing. The build up was like pasty butt in a chick. Cleaned and bathed her and noticed that she has some pin feathers actually growing out of her vent! This is new and no wonder the problem is worse. Last time she got a full clean up (last year) I noticed feathers growing very near the vent, but not inside like now.

Has anyone ever heard of this? Do you think I can pluck them? I'm worried about infection given the location. So far I have just been clipping, which doesn't work so well. She isn't able to keep herself clean.

I have a Wyandotte that gets her vent poopy too. And its not just her feathers, its her vent. She is an older lady though and has suffered from flystrike incidences. She is doing good so far though! Just needs to be cleaned often, is all. I have never heard of feathers growing there though! Do you have pictures?

 

[CapricornFarm]

I have a Wyandotte that gets her vent poopy too. And its not just her feathers, its her vent. She is an older lady though and has suffered from flystrike incidences. She is doing good so far though! Just needs to be cleaned often, is all. I have never heard of feathers growing there though! Do you have pictures?

Have you tried giving her probiotics?

 

[cherrynberry]

Have you tried giving her probiotics?

Yes actually. It seems to be something that she has more often during summertime, when she drinks more water.