Poop question

[MzGina]

Why do some of my chickens get poop on there backsides and not others. It is just like it smeared... I am getting a bit tired of washing chicken butts. They all appear to be healthy and happy.. eating great ..pooping everywhere...

 

[Cyprus]

Depending on diet, health, and various other factors a hen's poop may be solid or runny.

 

[MzGina]

Same diet as they have been... I give them fresh veggies couple times a week...its more the bigger ones. ( 3 Red Rangers I got as chicks by mistake back in august)

 

[rebrascora]

A chicken's back end is supposed to slope upwards at an angle from between the legs to the tail, so that when they poop it drops clear of the feathers below. If the bird is carrying too much fat or has swelling around the vent there is no longer enough overhang for the poop to drop clear and it starts to soil the feathers below. Once some poop sticks, a build up rapidly follows. Swelling around the vent can be due to fat deposits due to too much carbohydrate (not enough protein) or certain laying disorders like internal laying or salpingitis. My guess would be that your Red Ranger girls are probably carrying too much fat due to a dietary imbalance. Heavier birds are more prone to it, especially if they do not get enough exercise.
What do you feed them including main feed, scratch, corn, treats etc?

 

[MzGina]

Stale bread... mealworms .. lettuce cucumber cabbage etc. I never expected the red rangers to still be here and they are laying. They only forage for about a hour a day supervised. Guess I should lay off the bread.The Rangers are big compared to the ISA browns and Barred Rocks.. I might need to lay off so many treats..scratch etc.. I give them extra stuff like 2 times a day... And it looks like a some back end washes will continue until it resolves.. Thank You so much!

 

[rebrascora]

Yes definitely lay off the bread and scratch. Diet time form those girls! I assume they do have access to either a layer pellet/crumble feed or an all flock/grower with free choice oyster shell on the side. What percentage protein is that feed?

 

[MzGina]

They are on layer feed Purina Layena and free choice oyster shell at all times. The feed is 16% protein.

 

[rebrascora]

Those girls might do better on an 18-20% protein feed if you can get one and it would not do the rest of your flock any harm. Many people use an "All Flock" or "Grower" to get a higher % protein and just ensure their layers always have access to oyster shell.

 

[MzGina]

Thank You so much

 

[orrpeople]

Illness and parasites can also be the causes of runny poop that clings to feathers. If they appear healthy, besides watching their diet, you might also want to check for worms (sometimes they're obvious in the poop, sometimes you have to take a sample to the vet). Even "un-skilled-in-poultry" vets can do a fecal float test for you - they're not usually very expensive, but you can call around and see.