Ew. Lol. I had to soak one of my girls today because she had a buildup of poo. She doesn’t like it either but my trick is to keep the water warm and keep one hand firmly on her back with my fingers kind of folded around one of her wings. I apply gentle pressure the whole time (similar to a rooster mounting) and she quickly relaxes. Takes a bit of multitasking. I use my dominant hand to gently rub the poopy feathers until it breaks apart. I then wrap her wings and body in a towel but keep her tail out. I do blow dry on low setting and further away. It’s cold out so I want to make sure she’s completely try before bringing her back out.I was able to get about half of it off, and right when that chunk came off she immediately pooped so at least she’s able to now. When I first lifted up her tail feathers I couldn’t even see her vent at all and it’s kind of a miracle I was able to get any of it off. I might try again tomorrow morning and keep her inside for another night so she doesn't get sick from the cold. It’s also a big pain to bathe her bc she hates every second of it and takes every opportunity to flap her wings or jump out or onto my arm, which sends poopy water droplets all over me, my hair, and my bathroom. I’m pretty sure a drop of it went in my eye one or two times. As for the coconut oil suggestion, I’m pretty sure she’d try to take one of my eyes out if I got anywhere near her beak, especially trying to force something down her throat. Maybe I could try mixing it in with her feed? I’m not even sure if we have any.
I personally don’t like separating my chickens unless it’s necessary for their health and safety. They can get depressed very quickly being away from the flock and can go into shock. Even if they are loners or lower on the pecking order.
Yes, you could try to add the coconut oil to mash. A little bit goes a long way.
. She has rock hard poop stuck INSIDE and around her vent, completely closing it off. Honestly if I didn’t check when I did it probably would have killed her within days. I was able to pick off half ish of it in the bath, but when it came off she made a pained noise, and jumped a little bit. when I pulled it away, the skin where it was bled. It looked so painful I almost gagged. I’m keeping her in a dog crate in my room overnight so she can fully dry(she’s terrified of the hair dryer).I’ll add the video I took at the end of this. I was able to cut away a good chunk of her butt feathers before she got too upset and I had to get her out of the bath and dry, but still. At this rate, since it will most likely keep happening, I’ll have to keep bathing her every 2 ish weeks and I’m not sure if she can handle the stress. She’s an extremely skittish loner, and only hangs around 1 or 2 of our other girls. And people? Forget it. She runs as fast and as far as she can. So having to ambush her in the coop at night every 2ish weeks, force her in the bath, mess with her butt and cut her feathers? I’m just not sure how she’d react to all that.
