Messy bottomed girls!

[ChickenMamaC]

Lately, several of my girls have had poo crusted up in their fluffy butt area. Their vents look fine. I’ve been trimming the poo off, but I’m wondering what could be causing it? Could I be giving them too many veggies causing runny poo? They are laying well and they always have a clean coop.

 

[tacothechicken]

My girls always get messy in winter due to drinking lots of water to stay hydrated and warm (water is heated obviously, and metabolism is working fast to generate heat so they're pooping a lot more -_- mine generally clear up after a few weeks though so I just give extra food and keep them dry!

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Could very well be too many treats....
What chicken feed do you use?

If cutting/pulling out the bum feathers doesn’t work, soak their bottoms in a warm Epsom salt bath. Scrub em up! You may need to blow dry their bottoms if it is still chilly outside.

You want to be sure to take care of their messy bottoms before the heat of summer . Fly strike may result and that can become deadly if untreated.

Good luck!

 

[FluffTheDuck]

Could very well be too many treats....
What chicken feed do you use?

If cutting/pulling out the bum feathers doesn’t work, soak their bottoms in a warm Epsom salt bath. Scrub em up! You may need to blow dry their bottoms if it is still chilly outside.

You want to be sure to take care of their messy bottoms before the heat of summer . Fly strike may result and that can become deadly if untreated.

Good luck!

 

[ChickenMamaC]

Could very well be too many treats....
What chicken feed do you use?

If cutting/pulling out the bum feathers doesn’t work, soak their bottoms in a warm Epsom salt bath. Scrub em up! You may need to blow dry their bottoms if it is still chilly outside.

You want to be sure to take care of their messy bottoms before the heat of summer . Fly strike may result and that can become deadly if untreated.

Good luck!

Yes, I’m terrified of fly strike! I use this feed: https://www.nutrenaworld.com/product/nature-smart-layer-crumble-feed
Most mornings they get a warm mash of this feed as I have one cross-beak in my flock, and I usually sprinkle some basil or oregano on it and often add some tomatoes or broccoli, occasionally fruit. They get a bit of scratch in the afternoon to stay warm at night. Occasional meal worms and/ or black oil sunflower seeds.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

I notice the label on your feed reads only 16% protein. I recommend a feed with 18%-20%. I personally feed my flock Purina Flock Raiser with oyster shell in a separate container.

A little difference in feed can make a Huge difference in health!!

Good luck!

 

[aquabum]

Just caught one today and hosed her butt off!!!! Haha! It was accumulating and she just needed to be washed off. Just held her and hosed her off! It all eventually came off with the hose. But I'm here in Sunny FL and it's hot!!!!

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Send some of that weather up here in NY, will ya @aquabum ?