One of my girls has always had a poopy bum

[aldarita]

When you place Dottie in the pan, make sure the water covers just her legs. She doesn't need a whole bath since it's not good to wash the rest of the feathers. You can scoop the soapy water with one hand to wet her butt while holding her like chickeeaholic described. Make sure your arm is holding her wings keeping them closed. Your chest and arm will accomplish this. Work your fingers thru the messy feathers to dissolve the poop. I just did a butt bath this morning. My hen had poop hard as rocks, she's cleaned now and going about her business

 

[Nicky S]

And maybe you will need safety equipment?

Well surprisingly it went very smoothly! She really relaxed in the tub and for the most part we didn’t need to hold her in - she even gave me a bit of a preen! It was way worse than it looked, with a huge large clump that took quite some working at, it must have been a relief for her. I wasn’t sure how short I can cut her bum feathers - is there any danger of them bleeding like with flight feathers?

 

[Nicky S]

When you place Dottie in the pan, make sure the water covers just her legs. She doesn't need a whole bath since it's not good to wash the rest of the feathers. You can scoop the soapy water with one hand to wet her butt while holding her like chickeeaholic described. Make sure your arm is holding her wings keeping them closed. Your chest and arm will accomplish this. Work your fingers thru the messy feathers to dissolve the poop. I just did a butt bath this morning. My hen had poop hard as rocks, she's cleaned now and going about her business

Yes, we kept it shallow and had to work away for quite a while, poor thing was encrusted! She enjoyed a lovely sunbathe on the deck after, and our Roo was impressed and did a little dance for her

 

[Chickeeaholic]

Yes, we kept it shallow and had to work away for quite a while, poor thing was encrusted! She enjoyed a lovely sunbathe on the deck after, and our Roo was impressed and did a little dance for her

I’m so glad it went well, I imagine she feels so much better an pretty I try not to cut too close but you gotta do what you gotta do to get the poo off. I’ve never seen any bleeding from the vent feathers.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I wasn’t sure how short I can cut her bum feathers - is there any danger of them bleeding like with flight feathers?

No issues as long as there's no pin feathers (and you wouldn't be trimming a molting bird anyhow). Starting out, I wouldn't trim shorter than 1/2" or so until you're used to trimming feathers. I can usually get down to as close as 1/8" but 1/4" is more comfortable to do.

Some birds are just poopier than others, as long as there's nothing else wrong with her behavior I'd just trim as needed as that's a lot longer lasting and faster than bathing.

 

[Nicky S]

No issues as long as there's no pin feathers (and you wouldn't be trimming a molting bird anyhow). Starting out, I wouldn't trim shorter than 1/2" or so until you're used to trimming feathers. I can usually get down to as close as 1/8" but 1/4" is more comfortable to do.

Some birds are just poopier than others, as long as there's nothing else wrong with her behavior I'd just trim as needed as that's a lot longer lasting and faster than bathing.

Ok perfect, thank you. I trimmed a little but can do more. I will say that I’ve never seen her bum looking as good as today - so clean and fluffy

 

[Nicky S]

I’m so glad it went well, I imagine she feels so much better an pretty I try not to cut too close but you gotta do what you gotta do to get the poo off. I’ve never seen any bleeding from the vent feathers.

Oh her bum is so clean and fluffy now, I’ve been admiring it all day The whole gang came to sunbathe while she dried off on the deck

 

[Chickeeaholic]

Oh her bum is so clean and fluffy now, I’ve been admiring it all day The whole gang came to sunbathe while she dried off on the deck

They are such beauties! Your rooster is a happy roo hanging with beautiful sunbathing chicks

It is nice to nice to have clean, fluffy birds to admire.