What’s wrong with my chicken’s vent?

[TheBushyFamilyFarm]

One of my buff Orpingtons (roughly 9 months old) has an issue with her vent. Any idea what this is and how to treat it?

 

[Livia Ammon]

Looks like it might be blocked. If so, put her in a bath of epsom salt and water with her butt underwater. This should help loosen any clogs in her system.

 

[TheBushyFamilyFarm]

I just checked all the other chickens and they seem fine, but I did notice this on one of my girls. Related?

 

[nuthatched]

She's being picked/pecked, that's a scab.
Any signs of lice or mites?
Diet?
Space? For how many birds?

 

[TheBushyFamilyFarm]

This is the food they’re currently eating. We also give them grass, dried grubs. We have 9 hens in an enclosure that’s 20ft by 10 ft. There is a coop inside the chicken run that has 6 nesting boxes.

 

[nuthatched]

This is the food they’re currently eating. We also give them grass, dried grubs. We have 9 hens in an enclosure that’s 20ft by 10 ft. There is a coop inside the chicken run that has 6 nesting boxes.

Can you get a chick feed or all flock feed? 16% protein is a low percentage for your average dual purpose layer.

 

[TheBushyFamilyFarm]

Can you get a chick feed or all flock feed? 16% protein is a low percentage for your average dual purpose layer.

I can buy whatever they need. This brand has specific formulations for chicks, growers, and layers, and I’ve been purchasing the feed based off their growth. So… they used to get the chick feed then the grower feed now this.

 

[nuthatched]

I can buy whatever they need. This brand has specific formulations for chicks, growers, and layers, and I’ve been purchasing the feed based off their growth. So… they used to get the chick feed then the grower feed now this.

The grower is fine, just provide oyster shell access. Or do a 50/50 mix of layer/grower. Whole grain feed are typically served wet or fermented so they eat everything.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

One of my buff Orpingtons (roughly 9 months old) has an issue with her vent. Any idea what this is and how to treat it?

I agree, she's being picked and that's a scab. You'll want to monitor that closely to make sure it's healing. With warmer weather and flies, this could easily turn into Flystrike.

Apply some NuStock cream to the bald areas to help it heal.