What's the cure for a pasty bottom?

[Scratchn By]

I'm sure this has been answered a million times, but who's counting?

I have an adult NHR hen that has a constant pasty. I keep her cleaned off, but it returns. She seems perfectly healthy otherwise. Lays beautiful eggs, great color, eats well, not acting funny... Is she sick?

Oh, and she's the only one out of 45 chickens...

Thanks!

 

[birdsofparadise]

Pasty bottom is usually associated with stressed out birds. It effects their digestion just like humans. Is someone picking on her? In the mean time, try some vaseline on her bottom after you clean her. It helps to keep the poop from sticking and soothes her diaper rash.

 

[luvmychicknkids]

Does she, for some reason, have an especially fluffy bottom? I have heard of some people trimming the feathers around a chicken's vent (generaly for breeding though, I think). Maybe that would help her?

 

[Scratchn By]

She's a healthy (otherwise...) NHR and lays huge eggs. She's the only chicken I have that will just let anyone pick her up. All activity seems normal. She does not seem nervous or flighty. She's about as laid back as she can be. She eats normal. I don't give her anything crazy (like the rest of the flock...) and she remains pasty. She's no more fluffy than the rest.

I think I'm going to isolate her for special diet...

 

[ruth]

By "pasty bottom" do you mean her vent is actually caked with dried poo that you have to constantly remove in order for her to be able to "go"? Or do you mean she just has a nasty backside with dirty feathers from runny poo? If that's the case I wouldn't worry about it - they don't all have the neatest hygiene practices. I have some hens whose butts, if I was in a habit of looking at their butts, are always streaked with roo goo; egg laying "stuff"; poo, etc.

If you mean her vent is actually blocked, that could be a real problem because if you didn't remove it she could get backed up but that would be terribly unusual in an adult hen. Olive oil helps with that issue.

 

[sammi]

is the pooh runny all the time?
what color is it?

what all do you feed?

has she been wormed?

 

[Scratchn By]

Hey all! Thanks for the replies.

She gets normal feed (lay pellets (unmedicated)) and a little scratch. I throw out occasional scraps, but nothing crazy. Veg peels, bread, fruit cores, etc. Nothing unusual I can remember. She's not blocked but caked and raw. I try to clean asap, but can't always keep up with her.

We noticed she seems slow and just stand around when the others are scurrying about. I got her as an adult from a farm and from day one you could just pick her up. She doesn't mind. Laid back! From the front she seems to be my healthiest NHR. Nice dark feathers, clean face, comb, waddles, etc. I almost want to say she's depressed the way she acts. Ho Hum! Ya know?

I can't catch her pooping. I'll cage her to find out. And no, she has not been wormed. Wouldn't all my birds show symptoms if I had serious worm problems?

My birds free range during the day. A thought... There is a pond for the neighbors horse and they frequent his property. Maybe she's getting something from that nasty water? But, the others are not..


Anyway, just want to get her cleaned up. Would hate to lose her because of something I missed!

Thanks again!

 

[sammi]

maybe try giving her some plain active culture yogurt..

and give only layer feed for a couple days and see if the droppings firm up..
do you have any poultry vitamins or Poly-vi-sol?

what color is it? does it seem to be foamy?

how long have you had her?

 

[Scratchn By]

Yogurt? Really?

No, they get lay pellet and a little scratch mixed in, but besides it's free range feasting. What vitamins would you suggest? Poly-Vi-Sol is liquid form, how do you administer?

Her poo your referring to? I'll examine closer. Fun!

We've had her about 3 1/2 months.

What would you suggest i disinfect her bottom with to get it healed up?