Hard white poop stuck to vent

[Chescochickens]

Hi all, one of my hens has dirty vent feathers. I can’t figure out if she has a digestion issue, parasite, or something else. Twice now I have removed hard white poop stuck to her vent. The stuck poop seems to be causing the dirty feathers. I tried bathing her in an antiseptic a few weeks ago but the issue hasn’t resolved and the feathers are dirty again. She is eating and drinking but stays away from the rest of the flock. She’s often walking around the run alone and sleeps on the other side of the coop. She was picked on until I put a vest on her to cover her back feathers. She’s also going through a molt so I’m not sure if that is part of this. None of my others have dirty feathers so it seems to be isolated to the one hen for now. Any advice on how to treat her or insights as to what may be causing the issue are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[SmiYa0126]

Hey! What are you feeding them?

 

[Chescochickens]

I feed them a Purina organic layer feed and incorporate oyster shell, grit, meal worms, and scratch everyday. I occasionally throw in greens from the garden. At first I thought she was eating too much oyster shell based on what the poop looked like but I don’t know if that’s the cause.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would remove oyster shell and grit from the feed. Those should be in separate containers from feed. Is she drinking enough water, and do you have multiple waterers so she has a chance? You might note if she is getting enough food and water, if she has any vent damage from pecking, or any unusual bad odor.

 

[SmiYa0126]

I would increase their protein, mix the layer with an all flock 50/50 for a month or so, remove scratch in case she's overindulging and reduce mealworms to once every couple of days or less. She needs the extra protein to replace her lost feathers.

 

[Chescochickens]

Thank you! I just bought a grower feed that is 21% protein to help them all through their molt. I will see how she does on that and will reduce everything else. I watched her at the waterer today so I know she is drinking but she may be overeating the other stuff. Hoping it is just food intake and nothing more serious. Thanks for your help!

 

[SmiYa0126]

Thank you! I just bought a grower feed that is 21% protein to help them all through their molt. I will see how she does on that and will reduce everything else. I watched her at the waterer today so I know she is drinking but she may be overeating the other stuff. Hoping it is just food intake and nothing more serious. Thanks for your help!

Great! I'm also in Chester county Pennsylvania

 

[Chescochickens]

Great! I'm also in Chester county Pennsylvania

So cool! I have seen people from all over the US and world on here but never anyone from the local area. Glad to have you as a connection!

 

[PVILLAGO]

I have noticed a lower egg production the past few days and when I went out to check on them I noticed 2 of my girls have a messy poop bottom. Its hard and kinda soft inspots. How do I clean there bottoms? They are 10 months old. Knock on wood I've had no issues with parasites, health or anything. I'm concerned. Help!! Crusty Butt pros. I need your input

 

[Eggcessive]

I have noticed a lower egg production the past few days and when I went out to check on them I noticed 2 of my girls have a messy poop bottom. Its hard and kinda soft inspots. How do I clean there bottoms? They are 10 months old. Knock on wood I've had no issues with parasites, health or anything. I'm concerned. Help!! Crusty Butt pros. I need your input

Sometimes getting poop stuck to the vent area can be that poop is not clearing the area below, but sometimes it may be excessive fluff or having some loose poops that cause messy feathers, and buildup. I would just pull it off if it is in clumps or balls. Take a pair of blunt scissors, and trim any other or excess fluff back there. If need be, and you can bring one in where it is warm enough, you could give a very shallow butt bath in a large bucket or dishpan. Then make aure that she is dried off well before going back outside. Towel and blow dry if necessary. The less you wet, the dryer they stay.