4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Chick99]

Hello

 

One of my rangers has a dirty bottom (dried poo). She is eating well and is laying and seems very happy with life so I don't think she is ill. I have tried to watch her poo to see if they are runny but she is getting paranoid when I sit and watch her and she runs off.

 

None of the other chickens are dirty and they are all well so I was wondering if anyone could tell me why and what I should do. Can you wash chickens bottoms?

 

Thank you

 

Chick99

[The Dogmother]

It is certainly a good idea to clean the poo off her botty - otherwise she runs the risk of attracting flies and ending up with flystrike. Try to do it on a warm day, and have an old towel to hand.

 

Expect to get wet yourself too!

 

Have you checked her for mites? Northern Fowl mItes cause the fluff feathers to stick together and gather poo - it is possible that is the reason. See here for information.

 

Give them just pellets for a few days - no treats. Add some live yoghurt to a bowl of Bokashi Bran and feed them that - it will help if they have the squits. Worming is another good idea too.

[Chick99]

There are no sign of mites (just went out and had a look) so I think we are clear of that thank goodness.

 

I haven't wormed them, what wormer should I use?

 

Thanks

[C&T]

Flubenvet.

 

It's brilliant stuff - definitely gets rid of the worms - I saw them in their poo on the patio to prove it!!

[Chick99]

Can I still eat the eggs if I use Flubenvet? Also, how do you give it to them? I guess a spoon is out of the question???

[The Dogmother]

It is dosed as per the instructions on the pack - they best way to do this is to mix it with the pellets or on a grape. At normal doasge, you can still eat the eggs.

[Chick99]

Thank you, I have just been on Bestpet Pharmacy and looked at the Flubenvet they have there and it all seems clear.

 

I hope that does the trick but I will wash the poo off her tomorrow morning and see how we get on.

 

Chick99 x

[The Dogmother]

Be sure to look closely for northern fowl mites - they are tiny grey specs and far harder to spot than lice. Their eggs will look like fag ash around the feather shaft.