How to clean a chickens butt

[Lilytoes]

He has been unable to walk because of bumble foot. So his poo is stuck to his bottom. I've been trying to pull it off, but it's all in his feathers around his butt. I'm thinking of trying to cut it all off but was hoping that there was away of some how washing it with something that would make it come off easy. Any ideals?

 

[chaseschicks]

wash it out with warm soapy water.

 

[ZaksGarden]

You know how Dawn is always advertising about saving animals from oil spills? If it can get Oil off of a pelican it has to be able to get the poo off your chicken! I would dilute it in warm water and give it a try.

 

[2greenboyz]

Haven't dealt with bumblefoot on a chicken, there's lots of threads on that here. As far as the poo goes, get a good pair of scissors and keep them handy. I use that method all the time. Just be careful not to tug - you don't like your hair yanked on right? Feels the same way to a chicken and when the poo is stuck to their "fur" back there, I can imagine how it hurts. Just be sure to control the hen so she doesn't impale herself, and observe where the feathers attach so you don't cut any skin. She will feel much better. Done that lots of times. Believe me, trimming is much easier than trying to wash it off.

 

[slcarling]

I have two chickens. It is really hard to caught them. But I know I need to clean there butts. Any think you can help me with?

 

[MiddleWoods]

I tried washing it off one of ours but it was getting me nowhere fast as it had dried on while we were away. In the end a pair of blunt tipped scissors (to avoid accidental stabbings of either of us) and 3 or 4 feathers chopped carefully and it was all over.

 

[azygous]

Dirty caked on poop may be a sign of something more than just a dirty butt. You need to examine the possibilities that it might be vent gleet or worms or some other illness or disorder.

A simple dirty butt can be safely dealt with by backing the chicken butt up to a basin of warm water, splashing the water onto the butt to loosen the crust, then pulling it off the feathers. Rinse well and pat dry with a clean towel. Blow dry if it's cold before returning the chicken to its run.

If your chickens don't like to be handled, taking them off their roost after dark can be an easy way to deal with them.