Pasty butt? what does it look like, any pictures?

[MareeZoCool]

I have an Aracauna hen, she's 3 years old, white with a red breast. I've noticed her butt looks dark, kind of a tar or nicotine stain on her feathers. Her eggs are often spattered with bits of what looks like mud. My rooster was grooming her, especially her vent area this morning. Should I be worried?

 

[Chewie]

It almost sounds like the Northern Fowl Mite. Have you picked her up and looked at her closely? See if the 'dirt' around her vent is moving. My chickens have had the NF Mite and I remember thinking "WOW, I didn't realize chickens remained so dirty after dusting themselves". I had to laugh at myself!

 

[tammyd57]

Yes, it could be mites. She wouldn't be getting pasty butt at 3 years of age. Young chicks get pasty butt.