Messy Vent??

[BuckNBark Farm]

Responding a little late I have had 2 hens that have had diarhea looking butts. They've been wormed, de-mited (no mites ever seen) dusted for lice (no lice ever seen) had ACV, and plain yogurt. Yet, it persist It's just in those 2 hens (hopefully stays that way.) I keep them separated from the others. Thanks! ps- they are Silkies

 

[Farmer Viola]

Responding a little late I have had 2 hens that have had diarhea looking butts. They've been wormed, de-mited (no mites ever seen) dusted for lice (no lice ever seen) had ACV, and plain yogurt. Yet, it persist It's just in those 2 hens (hopefully stays that way.) I keep them separated from the others. Thanks! ps- they are Silkies

I had the same issue and also tried the treatments you listed. Through a combination of ORGANIC ACV in their water, acidophilus, and garlic we were able to beat it! The once nasty butts are now proud fluffy butts

I mince 1 clove of fresh garlic per 1 gal of OACV water and give it to them. Actually everyone drinks this yummy healthy water, not just the sick girls! Garlic will prevent infection.

I also made a garlic brew and squirted it directly on their vents. The brew is about 8 cloves, 8 cups of water. Bring it to a boil, then simmer for a few hours (need ventilation!) When ready to use, I cooled it with ice. I used a turkey baster to squirt the brew on their vents while standing in the bathtub. I would even leave the chunks of garlic on their skin (natural disinfectant). Because it is summer, I let them air dry outside.

I also did a method of bathing where I soaked them in soapy water and dried them with a towel and then blow dried them. I find the above method to be much better. Good luck!

 

[BuckNBark Farm]

I had the same issue and also tried the treatments you listed. Through a combination of ORGANIC ACV in their water, acidophilus, and garlic we were able to beat it! The once nasty butts are now proud fluffy butts

I mince 1 clove of fresh garlic per 1 gal of OACV water and give it to them. Actually everyone drinks this yummy healthy water, not just the sick girls! Garlic will prevent infection.

I also made a garlic brew and squirted it directly on their vents. The brew is about 8 cloves, 8 cups of water. Bring it to a boil, then simmer for a few hours (need ventilation!) When ready to use, I cooled it with ice. I used a turkey baster to squirt the brew on their vents while standing in the bathtub. I would even leave the chunks of garlic on their skin (natural disinfectant). Because it is summer, I let them air dry outside.

I also did a method of bathing where I soaked them in soapy water and dried them with a towel and then blow dried them. I find the above method to be much better. Good luck!

Thanks so much!

 

[Farmer Viola]

Happy to help! I hope your girls vents get better and would love an update if/when they do

 

[yawningreyhound]

Thanks for this rundown! I noticed some white streaks on one of my gold laced Wyandotte's vent area for the past several weeks when they were living at the neighbor's coop.

Now that they're here, I'm noticing another bird this morning has some white streaks on a couple feathers back there, too. There was a particularly gooey barely formed poop/urine plop in the coop and I'll just bet it was that hen's. I wonder if I fed something that gave her a loose stool. Maybe that banana yesterday afternoon they all pecked at on their warm mash.

With our low temps forecast for the foreseeable future, in your opinion, should I leave it alone until we warm up or tend to it?

These gals aren't used to much handling recently, they just moved here last Thursday night, and it's bitterly cold for the next 7 days.

Wyandottes seem to have really fluffy butts. These gals have some naked tails that I hope will start to fill in soon. When they first came to me last September, ALL their tails were naked, now only two have significantly naked tails and all 5 have filled in with down beneath the tails...that's where the white streaks are--on that down around the vent.

 

[Sierrab]

Would oiling (vegetable oil, Vaseline...) the feathers under the vent help with keeping the poo off?
I have a couple layers that I have to clean periodically and have been thinking about oiling the feathers but am worried that it would attract bugs/flies/other chickens to peck.

 

[yawningreyhound]

Would oiling (vegetable oil, Vaseline...) the feathers under the vent help with keeping the poo off?
I have a couple layers that I have to clean periodically and have been thinking about oiling the feathers but am worried that it would attract bugs/flies/other chickens to peck.

Gosh, I don't know! The coop is so dusty and the forest floor is so dirty...I think I may create more of a problem.

I washed off the one bird with the streaks, man, that turned into a bigger job than I anticipated! There was gunk at the base of the feathers back there that was like cement. But we got it off and got her dry (hair dryer on low) and she's stayed clean.

Now there's another girl with some white streaks on her poop chute feathers...I'm hoping her dustbaths will get it.

I think it's bothering me way more than it's bothering her.

But that's a good idea...the oil would make the poo slide right off without leaving anything maybe. If it weren't for the dirt.

I didn't realize how dirty the coop was until I put out an Igloo cooler with the new waterer...there's a fine film of dust every day on that white lid.

 

[simplegirl1970]

have some hens with the same problem. I need to bathe them every few months and they love it. I had never heard of oil or Vaseline until today. This article is about baby chicks, but it applies to the grown-ups as well.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/869584/oh-baby-preventing-and-treating-pasting-in-chicks

It is important to take care of it. I didn't the first time it showed up and bugs do love to nest in that poop on the bird. It was a horrible mess to get rid of, so go do it now!

 

[TundraRose]

I think I'm going to have to do this with my English Orpingtons. Not going to be fun as it's still in the 20's here during the day and we don't have running water in the cabin. Will have to get the neighbor to help because my husband will have a fit if he has to hold a chicken or see's chicken poop in the kitchen sink. I need to start liking breeds without fluffy butts!

 

[chickmom22]

I just gave one of my hens her first 'butt' bath. It went very well. I did it outside because it is 85 degrees today. I added a few drops of baby shampoo to warm water, lured her with oatmeal (which she loves), picked her up and placed her lower half into the water. She sat very still after her first startled reaction. I let her soak several minutes, gently swishing water around her vent and dirty feathers. Took her out and dipped her into clean, tepid water to rinse and wrapped her in a towel for awhile. Then let her go. Still have to deal with what is causing the dirty vent and lethargy. Can't see any lice or mites but she has been shaking her head occasionally, so I may need to get Sevin and treat for that.