Is it normal for a hen with wet behind?

[Fintechie]

When I read about the possibility of chickens getting worms/illness from slugs/worms/snail ... I decided amoung safety reasons, to keep mine confined which limits the amount I have to 4 in a 8x12x7 Chicken House.

But they're so much happier to be outside!

 

[Fintechie]

Poop trails have always been a precursor to something medical in my flock; is this regular for her, or a one-off? If you suspect anything 'reproductive side' might be up, like eggbinding etc, I would recommend a warm soak with epsom salts.
In general for bathing chickens, you can use no-tears child shampoo or any cat\dog shampoo. Blow dry on low, just be aware this can take a long time.
Parasites was a good suggestion as well; when was the last time you had your flock tested for worms? Fecal floats are pretty routine and can be done at any vet clinic.

She(her name is Pearl) is laying brown eggs which seems fine, though not as productive as her other barred rock sister. I will start with a shower first. And also booster the sand/top soil bath as they like to do that. I learned that's their nature habit to clean themselves.

 

[aart]

Have had several 'juicy poopers' and 'fluffy butts with cling-ons'.
I prefer to clip the poopy feathers about 1.2" from skin,
rather than giving a bath, did the bath thing once <gag>,
much quicker to clip it off then wash your hands(or wear gloves)
instead of washing the chicken.
Hopefully the juicy poops are not constant and from something she ate rather than any other maladies.

 

[ValerieJ]

I prefer to clip the poopy feathers about 1.2" from skin,
rather than giving a bath, did the bath thing once <gag>,

You got that right, but I had one that did have to be washed. I never did clip the feathers....always learning.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

Interesting. My Black Wyandotte and one of my Buff Orps have the tiniest bits of white on their butts (rarely). They dust bathe often, and seem to clean up by the next day. My girls are free ranging.

It hasn’t reached a problem stage, so I wouldn’t consider bathing or clipping at this point.

 

[ChickNanny13]

But they're so much happier to be outside!

At first I did feel quilty about keeping them cooped but when the neighbor increased his dog family from 2 to 8, it was time. We are fenced but chickens get curious as do dogs. They're fine, one time I forgot to close the door good, they got out but were so confused, they ran back to the CH.

One of the perks of living here (lots of down sides too) is the weather & no "predators". I have an "open air" Chicken House. I have hanging shower liners (heavy) surrounding the whole enclosure for our wet & windy days. They get the morning sun & protected from the heat of the afternoon sun....This is evening (6pm) during summer.

 

[Fintechie]

Update - We ended up giving Pearl both a bath and clipping. The wet-turned-hard sticky can't be easily cleaned thus led to clipping, but only to the extend where had residual poop on the feather. She was nervous as the rest of us (all hands on deck in the family!!). So let her loose right after and she laid an egg in next half an hour. PS. we do have a few chickens like to be petted, but Jewel isn't one of them.

 

[Shezadandy]

Update - We ended up giving Pearl both a bath and clipping. The wet-turned-hard sticky can't be easily cleaned thus led to clipping, but only to the extend where had residual poop on the feather. She was nervous as the rest of us (all hands on deck in the family!!). So let her loose right after and she laid an egg in next half an hour. PS. we do have a few chickens like to be petted, but Jewel isn't one of them.

Nice job! Yeah, sometimes the feathers are beyond cleaning. One of my favorite tools is a tiny pair of Fiskars curved scissors- easy to control and you can get in pretty close without worrying about snipping skin as the blades curve out.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Fiskars-4-Orange-Curved-Scissors-1-Each/34932916

 

[Fintechie]

Attached are our chicken coop and Pearl.

 

[Blingchix6]

I watch my flock carefully for poopy butts. If I see a poopy butt, they immediately get a butt wash. Check for mites or eggs at the base of her feathers. It’s also a good time to clean her feet with a toothbrush. Treat for mites with Frontline or Elector PSP. Good luck!