Omlet cube and run

[good_egg]

I've been thinking my girls have mucky bottoms and trying to work out why, but I'm wondering if they are actually ok.... To look at they appear clean; so no visible dirty bits. But when you examine vent or when they go to toilet you can see there is a bit of a trail. Excuse the description!! I've been a bit worried about this, but was then pondering the logistics of how that bit would ever stay clean given the path the poo has to take.... So, do all chickens have a bit of muck on feathers or is there something wrong with mine? Sorry for topic!

[Lewis]

If its not very noticeable they are probably fine but very mucky bums can be a sign of worms or mites.

 

As long as its not too bad you could give them a wash or trim a couple of the dirtiest feathers.

[heth1986]

Do yours roost at night? Mine used to snuggle up in the nesting box and that gave them mucky bottoms

[good_egg]

It's not noticeable at all until you part the feathers. They were wormed not long ago with flubenvet and have no sign of mites. It's a puzzle. Perhaps I'll treat for both again....

[Egluntyne]

Heth1986 is right, if they sleep in the nest box, they are more likely to have a dirty bum. I give them a wash and trim every so often.

[good_egg]

They are well behaved and sleep in the main bit of the cube, but sitting not standing if tht makes sense. I'll give them a wee bath today. It's only really two of them - the other two are fine. Thanks for the advice.

[dance in the dark]

There are some hens who will be spotless, and others will just frequently be mucky. It tends to be more of a problem for the fluffier knickered ones. One of my Orpingtons and one of my Wyandottes both have a similar problem when they come into lay. When they are off lay, or on minimal lay they clean up but as soon as it gets to late March suddenly they get mucky again.

 

If your case is a little like mine it's nothing to worry about, just something you have to manage in the best way you can. No doubt within about a month I will be giving Babs (Orp) a pretty significant trim, they don't look as good but at least they are clean.

[good_egg]

Thanks so much for the reply dance in the dark.... I am wondering if it is just the case that Buffy is a dirtier girl than the others - she is a Buff Sussexx and has very fluffy knickers. I think the colour makes it more obvious as well. I keep cleaning them, but I just can't see how she won't make them a bit dirty - without being too graphic, they just get in the way between bottom and ground! I have started them on flubenvet today just in case and have thoroughly checked them for lice/mites but can't find anything. I'll give her another bath at the weekend and see if she stays a bit cleaner after her worming. It's not a lot, but once a bit sticks it seems to build up. You can only see it when you part feathers or as she is pooping.

[thecluckers2013]

Hello, I have been wondering the same thing. my light Sussex bantam has got black dirt around her vent. with mine I am going to worm them and hope that helps. My Sussex bantam did eat a very large earth worm last week and I am wondering if that had something to do with it.

 

Hope worming will help your chicken get a less dirty vent.