Vent area help

[Loveak9]

I have search past forums and articles but havent found the answer.

I have 6 pullets (laying 10mths (2 barr rock), 7mths (2 BO, 2 EE)). One of each Barr, BO, EE have poopie butts. Poop on the Poop boards are little nuggets, or semi formed piles all dark brown with little white areas in color (I can grab a pic tomorrow, just cleaned and dumped all the poop). The Barr and EE I trimmed feather to mostly resolve the issue.
The Buff, I noticed when trimming she had red flaky skin under her feathers in the vent area. She has also lost a few in that area close to the vent. I have searched her over and can't see any mites or lice. I see little fleck of dark peat (from the dust bath- Peat moss 70%, sand 25%, DE and wood ash (together 5%)). She had no blood spots, when I trimmed her yesterday. Today she looks as if someone is pecking her bum, she had a few scab spots and all the feather nubs have been plucked (I trimmed her down to about 1/2inch right under her vent).
She is middle (3rd from top) in the pecking order. She is acting normal, lively, talkative! I get 5-6 eggs daily. They all eat layers pallets and have clean water. They get BOSS and dried mealworms for treats (one or other daily about 1 cup for the flock). We have a 5x12ft run they are locked up in 1/2 the day (in afternoon/evening) and in the am they get an additional run made from a trampoline frame. They are starting to get about an hour of free range in the Am on nice days. Both runs have dried leaves, fine wood chips and straw to dig around in.

Here is the feathers pulled back from the vent area.


Here is a close up of her vent, it does appear to have light a slight orange/yellow coating. There is also a small blood spot on the top feather area.

This is the feathers on top of the vent area or just under her tail.


So I am asking for advice, this is our first flock. I painted her butt with "pick-no-more" blue lotion stuff today.

What should I do for her? Do you think the red flaky skin was do to poop on her skin?

Thanks in advance and thanks for taking the time to read and offer advice.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would get some Pine Tar from TSC to paint the bare spots up to an inch away from the vent. One or more hens is pecking the feathers and vent area. This can lead to vent damage or cannibalism. Spend some time with them and also at roost time. Make sure they cannot reach each others’s vents on the roost. Feather and vent pecking can become a habit and spread to other flock members, and once it does that, it may become hard to break. What do you feed your chickens? A 20% flock raiser type feed may help increase the protein level so they don’t want to eat feathers. Crushed oyster shell should be available for extra calcium. Overcrowding, boredom, a lack of protein in the diet, and getting out to roam are some of the possible causes. Too much light, heat, more aggressive breeds are some other causes. Putting in some logs or stumps to climb on, a swing, or hanging part of a cabbage to peck at are some things to try. A bully can be separated for a few days to lower her rank. Some people experience serious vent damage to hens where they must be put down. Here is some reading to help nip this in the bud:
https://extension.psu.edu/poultry-cannibalism-prevention-and-treatment

 

[Loveak9]

I would get some Pine Tar from TSC to paint the bare spots up to an inch away from the vent

Is this stuff ok for open areas?
Do I need to worry about the fragile flaky red skin?

Thank u for your input.

 

[dawg53]

Put some Nu-Stock on the affected area. It will heal and clear up in area in no time including flaky red skin. It will stop picking and pecking as well. Shake the tube well and wear disposable gloves when applying it. It's in the equine section at a feed store and TSC.
Pine tar will work too.

 

[9876]

I have search past forums and articles but havent found the answer.

I have 6 pullets (laying 10mths (2 barr rock), 7mths (2 BO, 2 EE)). One of each Barr, BO, EE have poopie butts. Poop on the Poop boards are little nuggets, or semi formed piles all dark brown with little white areas in color (I can grab a pic tomorrow, just cleaned and dumped all the poop). The Barr and EE I trimmed feather to mostly resolve the issue.
The Buff, I noticed when trimming she had red flaky skin under her feathers in the vent area. She has also lost a few in that area close to the vent. I have searched her over and can't see any mites or lice. I see little fleck of dark peat (from the dust bath- Peat moss 70%, sand 25%, DE and wood ash (together 5%)). She had no blood spots, when I trimmed her yesterday. Today she looks as if someone is pecking her bum, she had a few scab spots and all the feather nubs have been plucked (I trimmed her down to about 1/2inch right under her vent).
She is middle (3rd from top) in the pecking order. She is acting normal, lively, talkative! I get 5-6 eggs daily. They all eat layers pallets and have clean water. They get BOSS and dried mealworms for treats (one or other daily about 1 cup for the flock). We have a 5x12ft run they are locked up in 1/2 the day (in afternoon/evening) and in the am they get an additional run made from a trampoline frame. They are starting to get about an hour of free range in the Am on nice days. Both runs have dried leaves, fine wood chips and straw to dig around in.

Here is the feathers pulled back from the vent area.
View attachment 1718696 View attachment 1718697 View attachment 1718698 View attachment 1718699

Here is a close up of her vent, it does appear to have light a slight orange/yellow coating. There is also a small blood spot on the top feather area.
View attachment 1718700 View attachment 1718703
This is the feathers on top of the vent area or just under her tail.
View attachment 1718701

So I am asking for advice, this is our first flock. I painted her butt with "pick-no-more" blue lotion stuff today.

What should I do for her? Do you think the red flaky skin was do to poop on her skin?

Thanks in advance and thanks for taking the time to read and offer advice.

Are her eggs very large? If so that could be the problem but it could be lice/mites in her nesting boxes. Clean all boxes with apple cider vinegar and use pine shavings .. or consult an avian vet.

 

[Loveak9]

Put some Nu-Stock on the affected area. It will heal and clear up in area in no time including flaky red skin. It will stop picking and pecking as well. Shake the tube well and wear disposable gloves when applying it. It's in the equine section at a feed store and TSC.
Pine tar will work too.
View attachment 1719746

Thank you for the advice, I will see if I can find it locally.

Are her eggs very large? If so that could be the problem but it could be lice/mites in her nesting boxes. Clean all boxes with apple cider vinegar and use pine shavings .. or consult an avian vet.

Her eggs are large grade. I will look in to the nesting boxes, we use the thatch like pads in plastic nesting boxes. Maybe I will replace the pads.

I am planning on bathing her today and will apply some type of topical treatment.
Thanks again for any advice.