Seeking advice

[LoriCx3sons]

We have all purpose sand in our coop and run. With all the rain we have had we noticed our hens with hard balls of sand stuck to their feathers on their butts. Needless to say it’s like concrete. I took scissors to cut off as much as I could and noticed that there were no feathers around their vents. I did not see any mites or lice. Vents were moist and clean. Is it Possible that they plucked them out? Any suggestions on how to prevent this from recurring other than filling the run with shavings?

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

Shavings will absorb the water and leave you with a soggy mess in the run (which you could compost, but it will weigh a ton)

Can you make a dust bath with peat moss somewhere away from the water?

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

There are sand mites, but not in my area, so all I can do is point you to google

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

Younger Leghorn hens I find have bald bums (or bellies) until they have a good molt.

What breed /how old are they and can you post pictures?