Messy Rear end

[earlybird10842]

Some of our hens have some wet droppings clinging to their rear end feathers. Some of these have just a little, but there is one in paticualar whose rear feathers are in damp, smelly clumps. Will this cause any health issues? is this normal? Should I wash these birds?

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

Do they have worms or blood in their poops? Usually you can prevent this by worming or giving them some coccidiosis medicine. You should rinse it off. My chickens vents got irritated after it stayed there for a while.

 

[earlybird10842]

They do not. Their droppings are normal, just sort of watery and messy, which is normal. Some of their rear ends are looking a little irritated already. I'll wash them off.

 

[jadenthechicken]

it also depends on what breed because some breeds have longer feathers lets say like silkies.It tends to get stuck on their butts.

 

[janinepeters]

I tend to keep their bums clean because flies can lay their eggs on dirty butts, leading to "fly strike", wherein maggots eat into their flesh. This will kill them, the maggots literally eating them alive, unless you intervene soon enough.

You can pick off the poop, though gently so as not to break the skin. Or you can give them a bath...I recall seeing a nice youtube video on this.

 

[earlybird10842]

Maybe I should give them a swim in a big bucket. that would clear it up somewhat. I know all too much about fly strike, as we had a fatality.

 

[loanwizard]

Umm..... just a farmer but.... what did chickens and other birds do before people?

It is natural. They will be fine. Maggots won't eat them.

If you really feel the urge, you can take off their sweater and give them a bath. Just realize you are doing that to make yourself feel better. The bird just wants to be a bird.

 

[loanwizard]

http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/diseasesandconditions/f/FAQ_flystrike.htm

I suppose that technically it could kill them. Had one on a kitten earlier this year. Looked nasty but we cleared it up. If you only have one bird, might be an issue, but with several, if a maggot shows up, the chickens will own it for lunch.

Try some Apple Cider Vinegar in their water and avoid the problem.

 

[earlybird10842]

Uh, trust me, one of our hens did get eaten by maggots. She had had a very messy rear for several weeks, got a bunch of maggots on her rear, and died. I do think modarate messes back there are normal.

 

[Fly 2006]

" What did chickens do before people" They died of fly strike!! Clean your chickens butts to save their lives... just my opinion, why wouldn't you?