What's wrong with my chickens?

[Eggcessive]

The use of probiotics or cultured buttermilk once or twice a week may help with runny poos.

 

[Beekissed]

Oh I know what you mean about differing opinions, especially on here, LOL. I think many worm twice a year, or some 4 times a year. They will always have a worm or two, but just so they don't get an overload is the important thing.

Or some....never.

 

[Eggcessive]

Or some....never.

Yep.

 

[my little peeps]

Ok I have a question. I have a 14 month old barred rock. I have noticed her back side is often dirty and caked in poo. I've washed her numerous times. I checked her and her feces but don't see anything unusual. I noticed today on her under belly area it's red, warm to the touch and feathers are missing. No parasites that I saw.

 

[Beekissed]

Ok I have a question. I have a 14 month old barred rock. I have noticed her back side is often dirty and caked in poo. I've washed her numerous times. I checked her and her feces but don't see anything unusual. I noticed today on her under belly area it's red, warm to the touch and feathers are missing. No parasites that I saw.

Is she laying every day?

 

[my little peeps]

Is she laying every day? 

Yes, she takes a day off once every 6-8 days. She's eating, sleeping and drinking normal. I haven't noticed her hanging around the boxes either.

 

[Beekissed]

Yes, she takes a day off once every 6-8 days. She's eating, sleeping and drinking normal. I haven't noticed her hanging around the boxes either.

Don't wash her butt anymore because you are washing away her natural oils and it can make that red, chapped appearance on the skin. If the balls of manure bother you, just quickly pull them off, even if a little feathers come off too. It's normal for a good layer to have a messy butt now and again...I have two currently that have the same issue. They will soon wear off, be groomed off or dusted off or you can pluck them off with little discomfort to the hen. I wouldn't cut them off because then you have sharp feather quills in that area and they tend to collect the poop even more.

If she is that steady of a layer, her vent is loose and a little open, which makes for a messier and less neat poo delivery. This happens to a few of my hens every year and at different times of the year, depending upon how well they are laying. It's nothing to worry about unless the poop is always wet and slimy looking with a more than usual foul odor. Caked poop is usually just a normal thing at this time of year.