Hens with poop stuck to their bums that seems to cause feather loss

[plexiglass]

All four of my hens have poop stuck to them. This is either causing feather loss or the poo is just weighing the feathers down. I can clearly see most of their cloacas because of the feather issues.
They seem healthy and happy otherwise though.
Can anybody help?

 

[ivfarm]

It sounds like vent gleet. There sbould be a lot on this site describing it and how to treat it.

 

[plexiglass]

It sounds like vent gleet. There sbould be a lot on this site describing it and how to treat it.

I treated both hens affected for vent gleet and while I was doing that I saw small white balls at the base of feathers on their bums. Any idea what that is?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

All four of my hens have poop stuck to them. This is either causing feather loss or the poo is just weighing the feathers down. I treated both hens affected for vent gleet and while I was doing that I saw small white balls at the base of feathers on their bums. Any idea what that is?

Hi @plexiglass Welcome To BYC
Can you post some photos of their bums?
What type of food/treats do you feed?
How did you treat them for Vent Gleet?

Wet smelly poopy feathers with a white(ish) discharge could be an indication of Vent Gleet.

If they have dry crust poop stuck to them, could be that they are fluffy and poop is sticking to the fluff weighing down the feathers.

Either way, give them a washing up - soak them in some warm soapy water (dish liquid works well), work the poop out of the feathers, if need be give them a trim or cut out hard ball of poop (hard balls of poop can also be crushed with pliers). Be careful when trimming or crushing poop balls not to pull delicate skin.

You mention small white balls at the base of their feathers - this sounds like lice eggs. Treat them with a poultry dust or spray, clean out their bedding and nesting boxes and treat the coop as well. Repeat in 7-10 days.

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1151513/pesticides-approved-for-poultry

Some good photos and info on lice and mites:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/08/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification.html