poop stuck on my chickens bottom (large area) ! help what do I do?

[chickenology]

If you have someone who can help hold her, I find it easier to take a pair of scissors and trim the feathers away. Especially if the poop ball is just stuck to the ends of the feathers and not up against the skin. You can trim some of the other fluff shorter to prevent a recurrence while you're at it. If the poop is close to the skin (or against the skin), it would be risky to try to cut it out. Better to yank the feathers out than risk a cut to the rear end in that case. One of my very fluffy buff orpingtons has occasionally had this problem and I just trim the feathers back when needed.

 

[al6517]

Quote:
Great job, I was hoping you would try that just to see that is as easy as pie. Going through all the warm bath's and gently rubbing and fussing is really just a big waste of time IMHO. If you have some very good quality non Hatchery birds that are worth breeding do this to the hen's and roosters around the vent's and it help's with the coakle kiss as they say, it helps to increase fertility.

 

[katie4]

I find that when my chickens have access to fresh greens, fruit, and vegetables from my garden or kitchen the increased roughage and moisture often cause watery and loose poo. This casues some to cling to the feathers around the vent and makes for a nice surface for future attachment of poo, especially that stinky cecal poo.

I soaked my hens' gunky behinds in a medium sized cooler with tepid water. The partially closed lid was helpful in controlling the scared bird. Like you I took the gentler route but I will surely do the "yank" method in the future. Drying the hen adequatly and disinfecting the cooler were a pain.

Good luck.

 

[pattyjhummel]

I agree just pull the feathers out my Rhode Island Red has it so bad that it is causing a problem. I suggest soaking her first then pull out the feathers just to be on the safe side. I am bathing my bird tomorrow had no idea it had gotten that out of control will try the balm in the future. Thanks for the advice .

 

[dominiques]

My girls had very gross poopy butts. Large amounts caked on. It's winter and I think it's safe to say they are not getting enough fresh veggies/fruit in their diet. I tried to pull off, as suggested, and the poor girl yelled and the feathers didn't come off. So I filled a plastic tub with hot water and soaked a towel in it and used that to soften and pull. And it all pulled right off. Took a second round on 2 of the girls. They just let me hold them in an upside down football hold while I did this. Then I put Vaseline on their newly exposed skin(butt) and used a blow dryer on them since its snowing outside. They seem to appreciate the new cleanliness. Finished off the treatment with some raisins and yogurt. Not too shabby for a first try at this. I've been putting it off for a week hoping the poo would magically disappear. Needless to say it didn't. Now it's gone and they look so much better.

 

[CAjerseychick]

I just pull it off along with any feathers quick and easy, just yank them out and then there will be no more problems in the future. sure they give a little squak, but doing all that washing and stuff takes forever and makes more of a mess than you might figure. I prefer less feathers in the rear area for health and sanitary reasons not to mention it helps with fertility. But I am sure those with named pet chickens would prefer the whole giving it a warm scented bubble bath and a cup of tea afterwards treatment LOl it's all good whichever way you decide is best. keep her vent area treated with a salve or bag balm to prevent this from happening again and make sure she is drinking, dehydration is the main cause for cluster butt.

HEY who couldnt use a warm scented bubble bath and a cup o tea?! (Now we should have thought of THAT the day before yesterday).... this helps me a bit, have this issue going on with my Roo and one of my hens..... Am glad it seems like its no big deal....

 

[LaLa Chickie]

Good Answer...My Brahmas had this problem, I used the hose and then had to use scissors to cute feathers as it appears they also have some feather matting and or lice/mites so then I sprayed them. Maybe this is why they aren't such good layers. I have dusted with DE to the bedding and sprayed with Poultry Care hope it gets rid of them. Not sure what else to do. They are 7months...

 

[Nutcase]

I use the hose to wash pooey feathers too, but if I do a good enough job there's no need to chop matted feathers away because there aren't any. I try to do it before it's time to take...er...drastic measures. I usually blow-dry the bottom afterwards or hold her in front of a powerful pedestal fan.

 

[LaLa Chickie]

The Hens were all fluffy today and so good layed a giant egg for me...

 

[SilkiesnFrizzle]

I know this post is a little old, but are Silkies more prone to this? It seems as though some of my girls have it, the bedding is pine shavings, when they sleep at night might it stick to their butts and make it worse? They just all kicked into high gear laying eggs....if that is a factor.