Poo on chick bottoms, feathers look odd/thin on bottom and under wings

[nicolesauce]

For the last three days my larger 5 week old chicks (all seemingly of the same breed) have poo sticking to their bottoms. There are 14 of these with the same problem and they are the larger chicks in the group.

It looks like their feathers are either not yet in, or have been picked out on their bums and under their wings.

The smaller chicks are fine - no similar issues.

I have been washing them off, but the problem persists.

Is it chiggers? Lice? Something more dire?

My local extension office said "I don't know anything about chickens." Very helpful.

 

[lemurchaser]

Can you post pictures?

Chicks and chickens don't have a lot of feathers under their wings, Mine were bare there last time I checked. What you are saying sounds normal, but pictures would help.

 

[sammi]

what all are you feeding?
are you giving chick vitamins?
what temperature are you keeping them?
are they in a brooder?
what bedding are you using?

what color is the pooh?

chilling and stress can cause soft droppings.

are they eating and drinking well?
are they active and alert?
have they been exposed to other chickens?

 

[horsejody]

After you wash them put olive oil or mineral oil around their little bung holes. It will help keep the poop from sticking.

 

[nicolesauce]

Thank you everyone. I will try the olive oil today.

They are on Chick Starter feed and we give them grass clippings (plus they joyfully lunge at any moth that dares enter the coop. I have been putting vitimins in their water until yesterday.

I removed the brooding lamp last weekend since they have been under it for 4 weeks and it is hot in Tennessee. I can put it back in...

These chicks are about 4 times larger than the other ones - Does growing so darn fast cause problems?

Trying to et pictures today...

 

[nicolesauce]

After cleaning and oiling the formerly mentioned posteriors, I noticed evidence of the feathers having been pulled out (bloody spots where they are pulled). Is this bugs?

I can put the little guys out in the yard during the warm part of hte day and dust the coop, but what can I put on the birds to make them more comfortable?

Shoudl I separate the plucked babies from the others?

They are alert and running around, though they are not as spry as their smaller friends.

 

[horsejody]

I would separate them just in case somebody is picking their feathers.