Poopy butts

[ErinJones0810]

I have 4 Plymouth Barred Rocks who are about 9 months old. They have some poopy rear ends and after butt baths it seems like they are just poopy again. They are healthy (were dewormed and treated for coccidiosis about a month or 2 ago) and all their poop has been very normal and solid. No changes in egg laying.

I am new to chicken keeping so I am not sure if this is just normal or if its something to be concerned about. How often are others doing butt baths?

I do allow them to free range most of the day and unfortunately they found the neighbors bird feeder and stand under it for hours eating the bird seed that falls. Could this be the cause of the problem? Also, is obesity in chickens something I need to worry about with them eating all neighbors bird feed?

 

[thecatumbrella]

I do allow them to free range most of the day and unfortunately they found the neighbors bird feeder and stand under it for hours eating the bird seed that falls. Could this be the cause of the problem?

Absolutely. I've gotten poopy butts just from a little too much apple or pumpkin treat. I'd deter them from going over there. Bird seed is not a balanced diet for chickens, especially ones that are laying (and need to meet specific protein and calcium minimums).

In the meantime, you can grab some safety scissors and trim the fluff below their vent. Less surface area for poop to land on!