New to chickens, need some opinions please! :) (graphic pic, sorry!)

[chicken-owner-31]

Hello,
I am fairly new to chickens, got my first two hens as babies about 6 months ago. They are doing just fine, but I got in two today that I think aren't as healthy as mine are. I have no idea how old or what breed they are, but I am pretty sure one is a rooster and the other is a hen.

Both are significantly dirtier than my two, although they were free range and mine are not. The biggest thing that worries me is the cause of the amount of mess on the new hen's bootie. Her rear end is really gross....covered in poo and dirt and really matted looking. I happened to see her poop, and she actually turned her rectum inside out to defecate, although she was able to pull it back in when she was finished. I stopped by the feed store on the way home to get some stuff, and picked up some Wazine 17 dewormer and also some Sulmet Sulfamethazine Sodium 12.5%. I thought that maybe these things added to the drinking water for a few days (not both together) might help? ???

I apologize for this picture, but here is the new hen's derriere:

Can I wash her somehow? Neither her nor the rooster are used to being handled, but neither are mean and were relatively easy to catch and handle.

Any suggestions/advice are much appreciated!!

 

[peeps7]

First welcome to chickens.
second, I'd put a graphic pic warning on the title
three, if you can put her in the tub and take your shower head(with warm water) and rinse your hens bottom. Dry her completely before putting her outside. Keep cleaning her bottom daily with a warm damp cloth until she is better.

 

[Stormhorse23]

aww poor baby! welcome to the wonderful world of chickens, by the way! just wash her with warm water

 

[chicken-owner-31]

I'm sorry the picture disturbed you! I will go change the title ASAP.

So do you think just washing her will help? What can I do to prevent it from happening again? Can I wash her entire body with warm water? She's pretty dirty all over.

Thanks, and sorry again!

 

[peeps7]

No, no, no, the picture didn't bother me, but it might bother others. You can wash her all over but you have to make sure she's completely dry before sticking her outside. Don't wash her with soap, just rinse her off real good with warm water then blow dry her.

 

[greyfields]

I agree you should wash her, too. My hunch is coming from somewhere else they could be latently carrying cocciddiossis, which will cause bloody and runny pooh. I would suggest a 5 day run of medicated feed to see if it clears up, in which case that will probably be enough for their bodies to develop more tolerance of it.

 

[hooligan]

Looks like the bums of most the the rescued broilers here! Just put her in the sink and give her a bath with some baby shampoo (its very gentle) and either blow dry her OR towel dry her the best you can and set he close to a space heater.
I know witht he broilers it is caused by them being in crammed spaces and sitting in their own poo. Though since they were free range, they probably just pooped in their favorite spot and layed in it

Oh and GOOD LUCK!

 

[chicken-owner-31]

Thanks everyone!

Yes, I think maybe she sat in her poop. But she could be ill....I just don't know. Would using the medication hurt if she isn't? How often should I deworm? Was the inside out rear end normal then?

Is it too obvious that I'm clueless? Hahahaha! THANK YOU!

 

[greyfields]

I do not think worms would be causing her butt to look like that. Generally, anemia is the sign you have a high load of parasites.

 

[SpottedCrow]

Unless you KNOW for certain that she's got an infection, I wouldn't use antibiotics.
That's just me.
Their vents turn inside out when they go to the bathroom or when they lay an egg.
It looks to me like she just might need to have her bum washed.
If it keeps happening, you can trim some of her bum feathers.
When washing chickens, you get as wet as they do, just to warn ya...