Poop stuck on feathers below vent, not laying eggs. 18 month old hen. Acting normal otherwise. Could there be an egg stuck? Vent looks swollen.

[MysteryChicken]

Ok I’ll try.

I've had to do it, before. Most of us have.

It's just to make sure.

 

[WeezyH]

Is she pooping fine?

If there's no egg, she could be constipated.

There’s plenty of poop in yard and coop, but it could be the other hen.

 

[MysteryChicken]

If there's no egg, I'd still give a calcium Citrate tablet just to be sure.

 

[WeezyH]

Well, that was a first, but I do love my chickens. I didn’t feel anything. I’ll go find the pill you’re talking about in the morning. Thanks for the advice.

 

[WallyG74]

Well, that was a first, but I do love my chickens. I didn’t feel anything. I’ll go find the pill you’re talking about in the morning. Thanks for the advice.

Yes it feels horribly wrong . But we do what we gotta do sometimes.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The vent looks fine. Very possible that she's about to stop laying for the year, which would account for lack of eggs.

The poop is probably just normal soiling. You can trim the feathers in the area under the vent for a long term solution, or wash/wipe it off for a short term solution.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I agree with the above comment her vent looks fine. Some people actually avoid the fluffy/heavier feathered breeds because of having to trim the feathers around their bums with the poop getting stuck. Also this time of year most chickens are winding down on the egg production due to lack of daylight and molting.

 

[aart]

The vent looks fine. Very possible that she's about to stop laying for the year, which would account for lack of eggs.

The poop is probably just normal soiling. You can trim the feathers in the area under the vent for a long term solution, or wash/wipe it off for a short term solution.

Ditto Dat!

Trimming the poopy feathers off 1/2" from the skin is much preferred over a bath.