Is chicken poop stronger than super glue?

[valsey]

How do you all clean up a dirty hen bottom? I've soaked the hen's rear end in warm soapy water for 10 minutes and still can't get the poop off. I've cut the feathers off before (is that okay?) but I'd rather just clean 'em up.

Ideas?

 

[canada-goose]

I'm pretty sure the best thing to do is trim the feathers. It's certainly easier than trying to soak the poop off.

 

[swordgeek]

Quote:
THIS.

I've done it both ways, and trimming was the easiest. Just be prepared for some amount of mental trauma the first time! (See https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=61338-not-my-good-kitchen-scissors)

 

[carrlr]

I'm pretty sure they could use chicken poop on the space shuttle during re-entry!!

Try rubbing a little olive oil on the feathers for a little while before the warm and soapy bath.

 

[Illia]

If I have messy bum problems, I trim the feathers. It makes me seem like one of those "trim the feathers for better fertility" type people, but no, I do it to prevent pasty butt, feather pulling, etc.

 

[valsey]

Something about cutting feathers doesn't seem right. But if you all haven't had problems with it, I'll opt for that, I think.

 

[swordgeek]

Think about it - it has to hurt less than a bikini wax!

Just make sure she sits still while you do it. In retrospect, I'd have had someone else hold my hen.

 

[valsey]

Quote:
Never had one!

It's not the pain. It's the fact that feathers are hollow and cutting them leaves them open, I would think

 

[blaundee]

Put vaseline on it. Tomorrow it will come right off.

 

[valsey]

Quote:
really? You've done this? It sounds like a miracle!