Laying Eggs=Poopy Butts?!?

[For-The-Love-Of-Chickens]

Our hens used to keep their hind ends meticulously clean. Now that they have started laying, their nether regions are poopy and gross. Is this something they will fix eventually, or am I going to have to give them a bath? Could it also be because of all the attention the rooster is giving them?

 

[dipence71]

Good question I have no idea but am going to post to bump it back up to see if you can get an answer because inquiring minds what to know too...

 

[Hoosiermomma]

I don't have an answer either but I am waiting to see if someone has one.

All of my hens are extremely clean but my one buff who has a really messy behind!

 

[marymac]

I have a RIR that is like that too. Always poopy. Why only her?

 

[enola]

I have a hen that had a poopy behind too. She also had nasty smelling runny poop. I wormed her, nothing changed. So, I bought a bottle of Sulmet and dosed her for 5 days. The poop is now normal and she has cleaned herself up. She looks much better now.

 

[Pampered Hen]

I noticed the same thing with some of my hens. I wouldn't worry too much about it as long as the vent is not soiled. My BR Polly always has some sort of cling-ons to the feathers on her butt end, but her vent is squeaky clean.

 

[kandryve]

I'm not sure how accurate this may be, but I have read on a few occasions that your best egg layers' butts will look quite tattered and unattractive! It's been quite accurate in describing our ladies! I hope that helps!

 

[For-The-Love-Of-Chickens]

I guess it's true even with chickens......once the kids arrive, you just don't keep yourself up like you used to. *Sigh*

Thanks everyone! It's good to know it's not just my hens and that there isn't something wrong with them.

 

[Judy]

With some chickens, you will want to keep the fuzz around the vent trimmed to prevent this. Just depends how fuzzy their fuzzy butts are! A nice warm bath with a bit of mild soap will clean them up well for the trimming.

 

[clogan98]

I know this is an old thread, just wondering if any other insights are available because I have the same thing! My two girls (brahma and BO) just started laying and now their rear ends are covered in poop! They were never like that before so I want to make sure they aren't sick. Everyone is eating, drinking and behaving normal. Still laying eggs daily (they started two weeks ago). Just wondering what's with all the ickiness all of a sudden