Pasty Butt - how/when to clean?

[MicheleE]

I have a couple of chickens that have poopy feathers near their vent. Do I need to clean? If so how do I clean? Thank you.

 

[hiker125]

Gently wash with some warm water. I have used baby shampoo if it is really bad. Follow up with some vaseline.

 

[galanie]

As for when to clean, whenever you can talk yourself into washing a chicken's butt. For me, that takes more than a few minutes.

 

[TeamChaos]

Yes, wash the dirty feathers a.s.a.p. but I have to tell you- I've had a lot of dirty butts through here but we had our first truly pasty chick last week. The vent itself kept sealing shut, like it was pooping super glue or something! Eek.

 

[Cacciatore]

If your chooks are having a consistent problem there may be something that is causing the pasty bottoms. I find that when I have hens with dirty butts it's time to worm them.

 

[poultry guy]

When:right away because if not cleaned right away it can result in death.
How: with a warm paper towl if it does not come of dip the chicks vent in some warm water then try to wipe it of again.

 

[azygous]

I've found that the easiest way to clean crusty butts is children's bubble-bath/soak. It doesn't require rinsing, and you don't have to immerse the whole chicken.

Prepare a small wash tub with warm water and half cap-full of bath liquid. Have some terry hand towels handy. With the chicken under your left arm, back her up to the basin. Splash warm, sudsy water onto the crust until it softens and loosens, then gently pull it off the feathers. This generally takes no more than a few minutes, then towel or blow dry.

I do crusty feet the same way. With the chicken's head cradled under your arm, they usually feel calm, and backing them up to the wash basin is a natural position for them.

 

[MicheleE]

Thank you for all the great suggestions!