Is this normal

[Dr.GarryTTucker]

i have a rooster, about 13 weeks old. For about the past two weeks he lifts his feathers above his bum/butt (don’t know what word is appropriate) looks like a small hole maybe. He picks at it then cleans himself. Is this normal?
I don’t see any others doing it.

Also, this morning he had some poop on his wing. I got back late from my run and didn’t let them out until 7am. He might have gotten hit in the line of Fire if he was wandering the bottom of coop while some where “sleeping in”. Do I need to clean him? Or will he do this himself?

 

[SueT]

He'll clean himself....maybe you can take a photo of the hole you are talking about?

 

[Cyprus]

Wouldn't hurt to pick the poop off his wings.

Sounds to me like he is preening using the gland at the base of his tail. Totally normal.

 

[Dr.GarryTTucker]

What about dandruff? Is that ok in chickens? I notice some of my females with dandruff on top of them

 

[Dr.GarryTTucker]

It’s where my finger is pointing but on the male.

 

[Dr.GarryTTucker]

 

[Cyprus]

View attachment 1380230

Yeah, that's the preening gland.

 

[coach723]

This is what the preen gland looks like, it's where you are pointing in your pictures.
If you separate his feathers there you will see it.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

What you are pointing to in the photos is the Uropygial gland or oil/preening gland. Birds will wipe their beak across that to get a little oil and then distribute it through their feathers while preening.

As for dandruff? A photo of that may help, but I suspect what you are seeing is tiny pieces of keratin that is being shed from emerging feathers. You still have youngsters and they are still getting their adult feathers.

Do they have access to some loose dirt to take a dust bath? Dust bathing helps to remove those sheaths (as does preening) and it also cleans feathers. If your cockerel has poop on his wing, he may clean it off, but if you prefer, you can wipe it off.

 

[Dr.GarryTTucker]

You can we the flakes on her back. I have huge holes in my yard where they all get together and have a dust bath party. Only the females have been dust bathing... well they are the only ones I’ve seen.