Red vent after washing poop off

[Mid Wales chicken keeper]

I have a 2yr old black rock who always has a messy rear end. I washed her bottom in a bowl of tepid water with 2 spoons of Epsom salts added. I noticed her vent was quite red, but not swollen or smelly. No parasites or discharge so I don't think it's vent gleet. She also hasn't laid for 8 days now, previously she would lay a very large egg every 2 or 3 days. Otherwise she seems completely healthy, bright eyes, very active. She free ranges in the farmers field next door for about 5 hours a day, then gets confined to a run. Her free range diet is supplemented with cooked rice, mealworm, parsley a few grapes and proprietary mixed chicken feed. Plenty of free choice grit and oyster shells.
Was it perhaps the poop irritating her vent, and would this interfere with laying? Any insights would be appreciated

 

[Debbie292d]

We had one that has since lived out a long life and passed, but she always had a poopy butt. I've raised silkies for about 8 years, and no other chicken has ever had that but her.

We used to have to use kitchen scissors and cut her rear end a few times a year to get the poop off of her. Once she was red, like you mention, no other problems, and I put Desitin diaper rash cream on her. That helped that issue, but the same poopy bottom would happen again regardless.

I had researched it before and was told probiotics might help. I agree, however, they already were getting probiotics in that I ferment grain plus, on occasion, I put Hydro-Hen in their water.

I never did figure out what was causing it, but she did live a full life.

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

The reddess is probably normal from the irritation of the poop and getting it washed, I'd trim her bum feathers a bit to stop the poop from building up. If she's acting and looks ok I wouldn't worry about the egg laying

 

[Mid Wales chicken keeper]

We had one that has since lived out a long life and passed, but she always had a poopy butt. I've raised silkies for about 8 years, and no other chicken has ever had that but her.

We used to have to use kitchen scissors and cut her rear end a few times a year to get the poop off of her. Once she was red, like you mention, no other problems, and I put Desitin diaper rash cream on her. That helped that issue, but the same poopy bottom would happen again regardless.

I had researched it before and was told probiotics might help. I agree, however, they already were getting probiotics in that I ferment grain plus, on occasion, I put Hydro-Hen in their water.

I never did figure out what was causing it, but she did live a full life.

Thanks very much, I'll try the diaper rash cream on her, but as you say she always be messy

 

[Mid Wales chicken keeper]

The reddess is probably normal from the irritation of the poop and getting it washed, I'd trim her bum feathers a bit to stop the poop from building up. If she's acting and looks ok I wouldn't worry about the egg laying

Thanks a lot, I was thinking of trimming her feathers but was concerned it might hurt her, is it the same as cutting hair, no feeling?

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

Thanks a lot, I was thinking of trimming her feathers but was concerned it might hurt her, is it the same as cutting hair, no feeling?

Correct, no feeling