Should I trim her butt fluff?

[PurpleGizmo]

Hi there,

This may sound odd, but... should I gently trim the butt fluff of one of my chickens that tends to get poop on the fluff below her vent? It doesn't exactly look like pasty butt to me, and she has no problems eliminating. Being nervous, I cleaned her vent area when she was one week old. This is what it looked like two days ago:

Should I do anything about it? She's 2.5 weeks old.

Thanks!

 

[Sunny Side Up]

both you & your chickies!

If what's visable in that profile shot is all that's accumulated on her butt fluff, then no, I'd just leave it be & stay observant. I'd avoid unnecessary trimming just because it might then invite pecking from her brooder-mates.

But often I CAREFULLY trim instead of wash a chick's pasty butt. Though only when it really IS pasty butt, blocking the vent.
I wish you & your feathered friends the greatest of success!

 

[JennsPeeps]

Welcome! I live in Tacoma, not too far away from you.

Rather than trim her fluff, try rubbing a bit of vaseline, cooking oil, or a similarly oily substance on the offending area. That way, no worries about injury.

 

[KattyKillFish]

i always wiped off the "extra poop" with a damp wamr paper towel. the chick HATED it, but it worked

 

[cmom]

I had one pullet that had a nasty butt. I washed it off several times. I finally clipped it off. Now you can't tell who I clipped and who I didn't.