midori Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 One of our Buff Sussex hens, Margery, has a bit of a floppy comb and also a bit of a dirty bottom. We have had them two weeks. I have to admit, she did have a floppy comb when I got her, but all sense went out of the window when I was chosing them and I just chose the one who's colour I liked... I didn't notice her bottom until after I got her, and I am not convinced it was like that before. Everything I have read says floppy combs mean the hen isn't as healthy as it could be. Same seems to apply to the back end. However, she acts perfectly fine, is top of the pecking order and lays virtually every day. Her eggs are fine (and yummy!) and the shells are fine etc. So, is she ok and am I worrying too much? I don't want to bath her as they aren't that tame yet and the only time I can pick them up is when they are roosting, but that seems to make them worse the next day (more wary) so I am just going to take my time tmepting them with food etc. Her bottom doesn't seem to be getting progressively worse or anything, it's just not ncie and clean and fluffy like my other girls. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staceychristie Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 As it's a warm day, I'd not worry too much about the comb, as long as it's a healthy colour. The dirty knickes will probably be dietry, unles she has worms. Do you know if she has been wormed? If she's still lively, I wouldn't worry too much, but keep an eye on the back, as flys are out in large numbers, and you don't want them laying on her. Stacey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midori Posted June 4, 2010 Author Share Posted June 4, 2010 Thankyou. Yes, the combs of both the older two (both also buff sussex) are bright red. I'll keep a close eye on her and maybe try and give her a bath next week if it hasn't imrpoved further. Failing that, would it hurt to spray her with my 'fly spray'? I have made up my own with water and lavendar, eucalyptus, tea tree and citronella oil. It might be easier and less stressful for her maybe? I am spraying the fly spray around the house several times a day and we have a coupleof fly traps in the garden too. I'll still keep a close eye on her though. Will dust bathing help to clear her back end? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 If her bottom is dirty, I'd give it a wash. In the current hot weather, it will be a magnet for flies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...