Poopy Cochin

[biblechicks]

Has anyone had a problem with a Cochin that can’t keep the fluffy feathers clean around her vent area? My beautiful Lydia is 8 months Old, she is laying faithfully, is sweet and gentle. However, her vent and all the soft feathers around it are always caked with poop, yuck!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Loose droppings can be from the diet. What are you feeding?

 

[biblechicks]

I have 9 other chickens and feed them regular chicken feed and some table scrapes. Her droppings are not particularly loose, she just doesn’t seem to ‘project’.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

A chicken needs to do a certain squat, lean back and poop to poop cleanly. Some don't. You could try giving her a light trim. Cochins do have fluffier butts than some other breeds. Limiting table scraps can help to firm up poops.

 

[ChickNanny13]

2x oldhenlikesdogs I have Orpingtons & they're fluff butts too In the past I'd do the trim but then sometimes I'd have to trim more than I liked. The last set, one was getting a very messy butt fluff, washed her under warm water & blew dry her. That worked nicely but wasn't about to do that several times a week. So I stopped all extras, all they got were their fermented Flock Raiser & 1/8 cup of BOSS, MW & dry crumbles at night (to scratch). I noticed her butt fluff still got a "streak" now and then but no more mess. I've stopped all table scrapes, veggies, fruits ... I also notice when I toss mowed grass in for them, their poop get softer but they don't get it often.

 

[Beer can]

I had some silkie/jersey giant crosses with really fluffy butts. One of them would get buildup. I ended up trimming her and it solved the prob.

 

[Lyndegirl]

Has anyone had a problem with a Cochin that can’t keep the fluffy feathers clean around her vent area? My beautiful Lydia is 8 months Old, she is laying faithfully, is sweet and gentle. However, her vent and all the soft feathers around it are always caked with poop, yuck!

Yes! My Cochin’s butt is heavily caked with poop. I clean her up and in a day or two it’s bad again. She gets the same feed and environment as the other 9 (none of whom have this affliction). Looking for solutions or advice if I should worry.