Poopy butt on healthy hens

[Charlene]

My hens seem perfectly healthy/happy yet they (especially one of them) always have poopy butt. I try to trim their butt feathers when it seems bad, but why does it keep happening? They are free range so I have no control over what they eat. Can I clip their butt feathers? I find it stressful to use the scissors, I am afraid I will cut them.

 

[TexasChickenLady]

My hens are fat-happy-healthy and still a couple of them will have skid marks. So I figured that if i didn't wipe my butt it would look the same. And thats that. Hope you figure it out.

 

[Beekissed]

When my old leghorn is laying, her butt is a total mess! Looks awful but my granny always said this was one sign of a good layer...messy butt!

 

[Jenski]

Does that hen roost at night, or is she one of those that sits on the litter? Her roosting habits may have an effect on the condition of her bottom.