Seeping & Dirty Vents ~ What to do?

[SouthernGospel]

6 hens in coop and all have dirty vents to some degree and a couple have constant dirty/seeping vents as shown. They are healthy otherwise, eating & drinking etc. Seems to have come about over the last few months. Have raised chickens all my life and don't recall ever having a hen look like this.
thanks (located in cold & snowy northeast)

 

[Wyorp Rock]

6 hens in coop and all have dirty vents to some degree and a couple have constant dirty/seeping vents as shown. They are healthy otherwise, eating & drinking etc. Seems to have come about over the last few months. Have raised chickens all my life and don't recall ever having a hen look like this.
thanks (located in cold & snowy northeast)
View attachment 1690175

Hi @SouthernGospel Welcome To BYC
It looks like they have Vent Gleet.
Here's some reading for you.
https://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2013/09/vent-gleet-symptoms-causes-and-natural.html
https://www.mypetchicken.com/backya...s-vent-gleet-and-how-can-I-treat-my-H491.aspx

 

[pipin]

It looks like vent gleet!

Vent gleet is a type of yeast infection. It can be treated in much the same way as thrush and other fungal infections. You can give them oral Mycostatin / Nystatin and can also apply an ointment to their backside and vent.

It's a good idea to give them a warm soak before treatment. Warm water with some Epsom salts and gently clean away the built up poop. You can also trim the feathers to help stop it from clumping up. Make sure you give them a blow dry after so that they're completely dry before they go back outside!

It's also worth upping their intake of probiotics to help facilitate good gut health while also cleaning out all of their waterers and feeders along with their coop.

 

[micstrachan]

I agree it looks like it could be vent fleet, but also wanted to double check if
1. You’ve purposely changed their feed
OR
2. Their feed was changed by the manufacturer.

I ask because the mill I buy feed from recently replaced their stabilized rice with sesame meal and it gave half my flock poopy bums.

 

[SouthernGospel]

thanks for the replies & sharing those articles. Helpful information.

Interesting mention of switching feed, as we have, our local agway closed up last fall and now get feed from either Runnings or Tractor Supply.
Have always add a tablespoon apple cider vinegar to the water, but maybe not enough? They get table scraps too. Will add probiotics & clean them up.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

thanks for the replies & sharing those articles. Helpful information.

Interesting mention of switching feed, as we have, our local agway closed up last fall and now get feed from either Runnings or Tractor Supply.
Have always add a tablespoon apple cider vinegar to the water, but maybe not enough? They get table scraps too. Will add probiotics & clean them up.

You may need to also get some Nystatin if it doesn't clear up with some diet tweeking and soaking/washing and application of anti-fungal cream around the vent.

 

[Eggcessive]

Nystatin, a good antifungal drug, is a prescription drug, but you can buy it for pigeons as Medistatin here:
https://www.jedds.com/shop/medistatin/

I would also use some probiotics in their feed, or some plain yogurt with cultures. Some also use buttermilk or a little cottage cheese. Be careful with ACV. It is not necessary, and can add to gut irritation. Probios, saveachick probiotics, and some of the ones below may be sold online or at your feed store.