dame egna Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 One of my chickens seems to have a bit of a mucky behind, and it's been like this for a couple of days now Her fluffy bum looks a bit of a mess at the moment with white (?) streaky feathers? There are a few runny poos in the summer house, but I don't who planted them there, so can't be sure it's her. Hubby and I inspected her a couple of hours ago, and we can't see any lice or eggs - the weird thing was, after we had looked at her she went outside into the run and laid an egg on the soil?! Rather late for egg laying isn't it. 8.15pm??! I haven't wormed any of my chickens as they had been wormed prior to us getting them, less than a month ago so I am assuming it's not worms? Could it just be something she has eaten - too much corn or s"Ooops, word censored!"s? Any ideas!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ted Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 It may just be settling in. Mine were similar... Bokashi bran could help firm things up a bit... Are the runny poos sort of yellowy? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dame egna Posted May 17, 2009 Author Share Posted May 17, 2009 Yes it is - it's almost a mustard shade? We have had this girl, and another 2 for 2 weeks now, so I guess it could be settling in???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ted Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 Every so often they do one of those ones. They usually smell really horrid as well... This link is quite disgusting but informative about different types of poo. Most (even though they look nasty) are actually quite normal... http://www.chat.allotment.org.uk/index.php?topic=17568.0 Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dame egna Posted May 17, 2009 Author Share Posted May 17, 2009 Thanks for that Do you think I should wash the area as it looks quite encrusted now It's not a particularly nice day however, as it's raining so she won't dry off easily? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ted Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 yes its a good idea to clean it up as it can start to build up and also you can get an idea when things are back to normal... As to when that depends on how they handle if you can get them cleaned up and a low hairdryer without to much commotion then go for it... Some apparently love it... Some dont... Good Luck Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budgies Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 Definitely give her a clean. Chickens are unfortunately as prone to fly strike as rabbits so she needs to be clean. If she hates the hairdryer, just dry her as thoroughly as you can with the hairdryer and let her preen and fluff herself somewhere away from the wind and rain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dame egna Posted May 17, 2009 Author Share Posted May 17, 2009 Have cleaned her - I got hubby to hold her whilst I used a J cloth and warm water. Didn't think less than I month ago, I'd be cleaning a chickens bottom I haven't dried her with a hair dryer, but did use a fresh dry J cloth so she's not too bad. She's gone in the summer house now to dry off - just wish the sun would come out for a bit! She wasn't too bad about having it done to be honest. Looking at the other girls, their bums look quite thick and fluffy - not sure if it was because her feathers were stuck together but it may have looked a bit sp"Ooops, word censored!" around her bum area? Will look again when she's dry and see how it looks then I suppose. No sign of any lice or eggs so I'm pretty sure it's not that. Her actual vent area was as clean as a whistle lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ted Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 sounds spot on. Nice one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 Good! I was just going to suggest that you check for crawlies as they can cause the fluff to clump together and turn it into a poo-catchig device! My remedy for a chook with a runny bum is as follows: Remove all treats and feed just pellets Mix Bokashi Bran with natural live yoghurt and feed that (they love it) Add Apple Cider Vinegar to the water This should sort it out in a couple of days, if not then you need to take her (with a faecal sample) to the vet. Have you wormed her? It's amazing how quickly they can pick them up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
