Older hens with pasty butt.

[hcammack]

My two favorrole hens have some poop stuck to some of their butt feathers even after I trimmed there feathers. Do you know why this is all the other hens are fine and these hens seem to have nothing wrong with them. They eat layer pellets, greens, oyster shell, forage for bugs and eat some grass and some scratch as a treat. What could have caused this? is there anything I can do about it? the problem does not seem to bother them.

Thanks in advance,
Henry

 

[hcammack]

Does anyone have any advice for me ?

Thanks,
Henry

 

[Flyman39]

I have had hens that do this from time to time. Sometimes it indicates that there is a problem. Other times it may be that they have picked up someting in their diet that caused the runs for a few days and it gets built up untill every time they void themselves a little more sticks to them. Sometimes you get a lazy chicken that just doesn't void themselves correctly. I call them dirty butts. They are not real common but I have had a few. I have also seen a very active rooster that doesn't match up just right with the hen when he lets it go and it will start the pasting process. As you indicated they seem to be fine other than this so keep trimming and washing them and maybe it will dry up. If they start showing signs of health problems then you will need to start doctoring them. Good Luck.

 

[hcammack]

Thanks Dlhunicorn suggested that I feed yogurt every day and that should clean up the problem I think I will try that with my speacial little hens.

Thanks,
Henry

 

[rooster-red]

It can be a sign of lice.
Check the feathers around the vent area for white clumps at the base of the feather shafts.

 

[hcammack]

Thanks for the heads up red I will do that tommarow I use DE in the coop and nest boxes but I am not sure it reaches around into there vent area.

Henry

 

[hinkjc]

Discontinue feeding corn. Try yogurt or oatmeal to resolve possible gut flora issues. Apple Cider Vinegar in the water is good on occasion as well.

If none of this helps, you could have other problems. Worms, vent gleet, etc.

Jody