Messy Butts

[kstande]

Some of my hens have messy Bottoms. I have been googling these symptoms. I don't see any signs of mites and they are acting, eating, and laying just fine. I gave them epsom salt baths. My Rhode Island is quite plump and thought maybe the feathers were just to full around her rear but I see it on some of the others but not all. Should I be concerned ?

 

[neo71665]

If it's hot they will drink excess water and it can give them diarrhea

 

[FluffyButtBabies]

If they have poop around or clogging their butt, then you have to clean it off. If you don't, they won't be able to pass food and will die. Try to not pull too many feathers though! You can run their butts under warm water and try to get most of it off.

 

[azure_]

My chickens have it too. We ended up going to the vet and giving them a poop sample. We haven't had it analyzed yet. Once we do we're going to antibiotics. We don't want to and normally wouldn't but we have 9 chicks who need to intergrate soon.

 

[dawg53]

neo71665 and FluffyButtBabies are correct.
Simply use the sprayer on a garden hose to wash off their rear end and release them to go about their business. They'll shake themselves off and go preen themselves.
If you dont clean off their rear end, fly strike may occur and then there would be BIG problems.
If you decide to trim back feathers and fluff, dont trim too much, urates in feces will scald the skin.
I dont bother trimming anymore, the hose sprayer is much easier to use.

 

[kstande]

Thanks to all. I just was able to bet back to read replies. I have been noticing some diarrhea occasionally but don't know who it's from. I'm going to try the garden hose tho. And it's suppose to cool a bit this week. Thank you for all your suggestions.