New to Chickens

[Grandpa Goof]

Hi, I live in Idaho. My wife and I have 20 acres that we enjoy, with a barn, a shop, a garden and a house. Now we have 4 Amber Whites Hens, that we inherited from our son. They are about 1 1/2 years old. We are new to chickens. When we got them last Sunday, we noticed that two of them have dirty butts. One of the two now has a very red like rash below her vent. The vent appears to look OK, but I don't have any experience with chicken to know what is going on. Please advise.

 

[Claires Poultry]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

We're so glad to have you here with us!

Thank you for joining our wonderful community of fellow poultry enthusiasts!

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. I’m sure those with direct experience of the issue you describe will be along soon to assist.

 

[DobieLover]

Welcome to BYC!
I would bring inside and soak the two with dirty bums and get them cleaned up. Dry them with an old towel and a hair dryer before putting them back out.
Can you post pictures of each bird's vent area and then their whole body to give an idea of their condition and stance?
I would collect a fresh combined fecal sample (wait until tomorrow morning), mix it well and take it to your vet for a float to see if they have internal parasites.

 

[glassdragonfly]

Welcome to the world of chickens! I would also check for mites,lice.

 

[FortCluck]

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. Pictures of the vent areas would be helpful. Many hens will get droppings stuck below the vent. The red area sounds like some have been pecking each other, possibly due to overcrowding or too little protein in the diet, or boredom if they were not getting out to free range.

What are you feeding them? They need at least 16% protein, either a layer feed or a flock raiser feed, plus some crushed oyster shell available in a separate container for calcium.

Look them over carefully under the vents and elsewhere for evidence of lice or mites. Lice are very fast moving tiny bugs that leave clumps of white eggs at the base of feathers. Lice eggs can attract and collect poop, giving a ratty appearance.

Dry clumps of poop can sometimes be pulled off and extra feathers or fluff trimmed with scissors. A butt wash with soap and warm water in a small bucket, followed by drying with a towel and hairdryer would be okay.

These hens are near the age of molting for the first time. Have they started molting yet? Any feathers found around their area or missing feathers, or new feather shafts growing in? Pictures are always helpful here.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Hello and welcome to BYC! This is a great place to learn and share your chicken adventures.

 

[ValerieJ]

Hi! Welcome to BYC!

 

[BullChick]

Eggcessive has given you good advice.