Rooster has Red Raw Rear End

[ellie32526]

Hello, I have a New Hampshire Red rooster born in Feb 2013. He has been healthy and active with no problems since I got him. A few weeks ago I noticed a few of my hens missing feathers on their backs and I thought perhaps it was mites or lice so I bathed with flea shampoo and dusted them all with Sevin dust the next week. Neither time did I see any insects or evidence of infestation. A few days later I realized my inexperienced Partridge Cochin rooster was the reason my hens were missing feathers. Okay, back to my rooster - when I was doing all the bathing and dusting I noticed that my NH rooster has this red raw area around his rear. I washed his rear and applied Vaseline on it. It is still the same. His feathers are starting to fall out now. I don't know what to do for him and I don't know what is causing it. He does not seem to be sick in any other way. He actively mates with the girls. I read something about possibly his diet being too acidic. I feed Dumor feed from TSC and I know lots of people hate that but my hens seem to eat it okay. I also supplement their feed with fresh greens and fruit every day so I am wondering if he might be allergic to something I have fed him. I am so confused. None of my other hens seem sick, none of the others have red butts.
Does anyone have any experience with this? Does anyone have suggestions? Thank you.

 

[Eggcessive]

Some mites only come out at night to get on the chickens, so you would need to check in the dark for that mite. I would do a thorough check again. If you treat for lice or mites, you also have to empty out the litter in the coop and nest boxes and destroy it. It's possible that he is getting feather picked by one of the hens. A bit more protein in the diet--high quality dry cat food, tuna, beef liver, or game bird feed might help boost that. Vent gleet is another thought if his vent is smelly, with white or yellow patches, and runny stool around it. That is a fungal infection that can be passed around the flock. Probiotics or plain yogurt twice a week, ACV in the water, and an antifungal cream such as Nustock, mycostatin, or lotrimin would help. Here is a link on mites: http://ohioline.osu.edu/vme-fact/0018.html

 

[Michael Apple]

Hello, I have a New Hampshire Red rooster born in Feb 2013. He has been healthy and active with no problems since I got him. A few weeks ago I noticed a few of my hens missing feathers on their backs and I thought perhaps it was mites or lice so I bathed with flea shampoo and dusted them all with Sevin dust the next week. Neither time did I see any insects or evidence of infestation. A few days later I realized my inexperienced Partridge Cochin rooster was the reason my hens were missing feathers. Okay, back to my rooster - when I was doing all the bathing and dusting I noticed that my NH rooster has this red raw area around his rear. I washed his rear and applied Vaseline on it. It is still the same. His feathers are starting to fall out now. I don't know what to do for him and I don't know what is causing it. He does not seem to be sick in any other way. He actively mates with the girls. I read something about possibly his diet being too acidic. I feed Dumor feed from TSC and I know lots of people hate that but my hens seem to eat it okay. I also supplement their feed with fresh greens and fruit every day so I am wondering if he might be allergic to something I have fed him. I am so confused. None of my other hens seem sick, none of the others have red butts.
Does anyone have any experience with this? Does anyone have suggestions? Thank you.

My Dad's birds had the same problem and I recommended worming them and using Avian Super Pack, which contains vitamins and minerals. Probiotics which are water dispersible are more easily absorbed by the bird, which was also used. Probios is perfect for that. The red skin on the vent went away. From what I've read, it is usually a mineral deficiency, or external/internal parasites which cause that condition. If you did not see mites or lice before treating your birds, then mite/lice treatment was in vain. Dumor feeds are the lower end Purina feeds. Purina is garbage and has been on the recall list numerous times over the years. Do a search on recalls by brand name and you'll see what I mean.

 

[Michael Apple]

Some mites only come out at night to get on the chickens, so you would need to check in the dark for that mite. I would do a thorough check again. If you treat for lice or mites, you also have to empty out the litter in the coop and nest boxes and destroy it. It's possible that he is getting feather picked by one of the hens. A bit more protein in the diet--high quality dry cat food, tuna, beef liver, or game bird feed might help boost that. Vent gleet is another thought if his vent is smelly, with white or yellow patches, and runny stool around it. That is a fungal infection that can be passed around the flock. Probiotics or plain yogurt twice a week, ACV in the water, and an antifungal cream such as Nustock, mycostatin, or lotrimin would help. Here is a link on mites: http://ohioline.osu.edu/vme-fact/0018.html

X2. The best time to inspect birds for mites is when they are roosting at sundown. I use a powercap which is a ball cap with a led light built in to the bill. It is easier than holding the bird in one hand, or both hands, with a flashlight in your mouth, lol.

I used ACV for awhile some years ago. Saw no benefit compared to Probios dispersible powder in the water.

 

[ellie32526]

Some mites only come out at night to get on the chickens, so you would need to check in the dark for that mite. I would do a thorough check again. If you treat for lice or mites, you also have to empty out the litter in the coop and nest boxes and destroy it. It's possible that he is getting feather picked by one of the hens. A bit more protein in the diet--high quality dry cat food, tuna, beef liver, or game bird feed might help boost that. Vent gleet is another thought if his vent is smelly, with white or yellow patches, and runny stool around it. That is a fungal infection that can be passed around the flock. Probiotics or plain yogurt twice a week, ACV in the water, and an antifungal cream such as Nustock, mycostatin, or lotrimin would help. Here is a link on mites: http://ohioline.osu.edu/vme-fact/0018.html

Thanks I appreciate your comments. I will check tonight, but I don't think the problem is insects. I have used DE in the bedding and nest boxes since day one. I also shut my hens out when this started and used a flea fogger inside the hen house, then followed that a week later with Sevin dust. I gave all the chickens a bath with flea shampoo and dusted the chickens a week later with Sevin dust. I add ashes and DE weekly to all the places where they dust bathe. So although I concede that it is always a possibility, I have literally done all I can do to eliminate lice or mites. Like I said no one else has any symptoms of any problems. But I am still going to check tonight. Thank you.

 

[ellie32526]

My Dad's birds had the same problem and I recommended worming them and using Avian Super Pack, which contains vitamins and minerals. Probiotics which are water dispersible are more easily absorbed by the bird, which was also used. Probios is perfect for that. The red skin on the vent went away. From what I've read, it is usually a mineral deficiency, or external/internal parasites which cause that condition. If you did not see mites or lice before treating your birds, then mite/lice treatment was in vain. Dumor feeds are the lower end Purina feeds. Purina is garbage and has been on the recall list numerous times over the years. Do a search on recalls by brand name and you'll see what I mean.

Thank you for your comments as well. I guess I will have to do some research on feed. I do want my birds to eat well. I would think TSC would not carry feed that was not good. I just thought it was a personal preference kind of thing.

 

[bluebirdnanny]

Nustock ointment on the vent and legs may help the situation.
If it is gleet I would do the same.... but you can use a cool natural baby wipe smothered with nustock to clean the area.
It appears you can catch yours so I would do the night check with the light.

Any chance for a photo?

But then chemicals can irritate and cause rashes like that too. I don't use any of the type you describe. DE can cause problems too.

I'd be more inclined to treat with epsom salt soaks for legs and nustock on bottom and legs combined with a thorough coop cleaning with soap and water. Then if you haven't already a white wash applied to coop interior and all wood crevices may help deter/kill any remaining insects.

Many will disagree with me but the more natural and less chemical the better.
Do they free range..... not penned?

 

[Eggcessive]

Thank you for your comments as well. I guess I will have to do some research on feed. I do want my birds to eat well. I would think TSC would not carry feed that was not good. I just thought it was a personal preference kind of thing.

In my area the only feeds available are Purina, Dumor, and Southern States, all of which I have used, and my chickens are healthy. Since most feeds in this country are vegetable-based and chickens are omnivores, it is sometimes helpful to add a little animal protein to it.

 

[ellie32526]

Nustock ointment on the vent and legs may help the situation.
If it is gleet I would do the same.... but you can use a cool natural baby wipe smothered with nustock to clean the area.
It appears you can catch yours so I would do the night check with the light.

Any chance for a photo?

But then chemicals can irritate and cause rashes like that too. I don't use any of the type you describe. DE can cause problems too.

I'd be more inclined to treat with epsom salt soaks for legs and nustock on bottom and legs combined with a thorough coop cleaning with soap and water. Then if you haven't already a white wash applied to coop interior and all wood crevices may help deter/kill any remaining insects.

Many will disagree with me but the more natural and less chemical the better.
Do they free range..... not penned?

They do free range to a limited extent. I have 7 dogs so the chickens have a smaller yard for their own use, but at least an hour or two each day and longer on weekends I lock the dogs up and left the chickens into the bigger fenced yard. I have to protect them from free ranging dogs and cats in the neighborhood too!

 

[ellie32526]

In my area the only feeds available are Purina, Dumor, and Southern States, all of which I have used, and my chickens are healthy. Since most feeds in this country are vegetable-based and chickens are omnivores, it is sometimes helpful to add a little animal protein to it.

I add tuna, cottage cheese and yogurt as well as the fresh fruits and veg but it varies