Do Austrolorps/Amaracaunas usually have poopy butts?

SFrey369

Hatching
Apr 3, 2025
2
1
9
We have two Easter egger hens (mix of amaurcana, australorp, and possibly buff orpington) with a lot of fecal matter below their vent (not on). I think their feathers are catching it. Is this normal or something to worry about? Should I trim their butt feathers?
 
How old are they? Do you have any pictures you can post? What are you feeding? Do either of their lower bellies under the vent seem enlarged or fuller than the others’? Do they lay eggs? When I have one that has stuck poop I usually wash them in warm soapy water, and dry them well. If they continue to have it, I will trim excess fluff. The reason for the loose droppings that tend to get stuck is important to figure out. Sometimes they will have a little diarrhea, and then the next droppings will cling on to the messy feathers. Are they drinking more water than usual, getting electrolytes often, or getting a lot of treats or scraps they don’t need? Have you ever wormed them?
 
How old are they? Do you have any pictures you can post? What are you feeding? Do either of their lower bellies under the vent seem enlarged or fuller than the others’? Do they lay eggs? When I have one that has stuck poop I usually wash them in warm soapy water, and dry them well. If they continue to have it, I will trim excess fluff. The reason for the loose droppings that tend to get stuck is important to figure out. Sometimes they will have a little diarrhea, and then the next droppings will cling on to the messy feathers. Are they drinking more water than usual, getting electrolytes often, or getting a lot of treats or scraps they don’t need? Have you ever wormed them?
Sorry for the late reply, here some images (they arnt the greatest but it was kinda hard taking one handed pictures while holding a chicken)
They are about almost a year now. All hens, no rooster. They act fine, run around, eat, drink, lay, are pretty feisty too. We give them layered feed and occasional things like meat, eggs, and fruits and veggies. (Only what they can eat obviously) Once a day I'll give them a scoop of treats and mealworms to kinda help lure them back into the coop when I'm gone and they can't free roam. Their poop is also a bit runny sometimes, but I don't know if that's normal or diarrhea. I've never wormed them. This is also my first time owning chickens with my family so thank you so much for the help!
 

Attachments

  • 20250404_145601.jpg
    20250404_145601.jpg
    616.1 KB · Views: 6
  • 20250404_145727(0).jpg
    20250404_145727(0).jpg
    433 KB · Views: 6
I would look closely for lice and lice eggs Sometimes those clumps will gather poop. I would soak their vent areas in warm soapy water and clean off the poop. Trim any excess fluff. If you see any lice moving or the eggs on the feather shafts, get Prozap or Gardstar permethrin garden dust at your feed store, put some in a sock, and dust their skin. Repeat that in 10 days. No need to treat if no lice are found.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom