Messy fluff feathers under vent?

[stretchc1]

I'm not sure this is cause for concern, but that's why I'm asking you all to weigh in...

I have a barred rock hen--6 months old--whose fluffy butt is caked in a spot with poo. Her vent is clear and she is laying and prancing around without any problem that I can see. The crusty bit is about 1 1/2 inches below her vent in the fluffy feathers. I've been watching the "situation" for a few days to see if the crusty bits would just fall off of their own accord, but no go. When I tried to gently pull the dried poo off her fluff, she made it VERY clear she didn't appreciate my efforts. She doesn't seem to be bothered by the crust, but I'm having flashbacks to my first days with the chickies worrying about pasty butt. Now it's 20 degrees, so washing her bottom seems dicey.

Should I intervene? If so, what should I do?

Thanks!!!

 

[ThePamperedPullet]

We get ones like that also. The ones that we can clean, we will. All of the ones, clean or not, that can't seem to squat low enough when they poo, we clip some of the fluff off their butts to keep that from happening.

 

[seminolewind]

I get some poopy butts, usually in the summer when they drink alot. I trim off the poopy feathers. Works for me