New chickens with some messy bums. Poopy butt?

[jdanielsrn]

Hi all,

Just picked up 6, year and a half old red sex link hens from a farmer. He told me they are “not at peak performance”. I have had them about and week and a half, they all seem happy, eating and are each laying daily.

I will say they look rough though. 4 our of six have bare bottoms. Two seem reddened and poop stained. I attached some pictures. Is this poopy bum or something else? Is there a remedy I can try.

Any help would be helpful!!!
Thanks!

 

[coach723]

If you have not already you should give them all a thorough going over to check for lice/mites (link below for help with ID and treatment if necessary). The bare behinds could be that, or feather picking from overcrowding where they were before, or not enough protein in their diets. Watch what and amount of treats you give and feed a balanced feed, and make sure they have enough coop and run space. Also a good idea to see if you have a vet that can do a fecal float test for you to check for internal parasites, which can be a cause of runny droppings.
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

 

[Eggcessive]

I agree with coach 723 that it looks like feather picking. They are also at that age for their first big molt, and they tend to lose their tail feathers and large patches around the neck. Take care of any lice or mites if you find them, and feed them either a good layer feed if they are still laying, or you can put them on 20% protein Flock Raiser for some extra protein. Limit any corn or scratch grains (or do not give them at all,) since they do not have even have half the protein or the other nutrients for a balanced diet. Keep any droppings cleaned off with a quick soapy butt bath if necessary, to prevent flies from laying maggot larvae. It is common for some people to sell perfectly healthy hens at this age approaching a molt, since they will take a month or so off from laying eggs.

If any look lethargic or have frequent diarrhea or blood in their droppings, get some samples and have a vet check for worms and coccidiosis. I would think about worming them with Valbazen now anyway, since it kills most worms in poultry. Give 1/2 ml orally to each bird, and repeat it in 10 days. If any are 7-8 pounds you can give 3/4 ml. Good luck.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I agree with coach 723 that it looks like feather picking. They are also at that age for their first big molt, and they tend to lose their tail feathers and large patches around the neck. Take care of any lice or mites if you find them, and feed them either a good layer feed if they are still laying, or you can put them on 20% protein Flock Raiser for some extra protein. Limit any corn or scratch grains (or do not give them at all,) since they do not have even have half the protein or the other nutrients for a balanced diet. Keep any droppings cleaned off with a quick soapy butt bath if necessary, to prevent flies from laying maggot larvae. It is common for some people to sell perfectly healthy hens at this age approaching a molt, since they will take a month or so off from laying eggs.

If any look lethargic or have frequent diarrhea or blood in their droppings, get some samples and have a vet check for worms and coccidiosis. I would think about worming them with Valbazen now anyway, since it kills most worms in poultry. Give 1/2 ml orally to each bird, and repeat it in 10 days. If any are 7-8 pounds you can give 3/4 ml. Good luck.

All chickens but especially those chickens with access to free range should be wormed 2, or more times per year.