[Squidy]

hi, im new tto the forum, i've had my 5 hens for about 6 months and they have been doing realy well, i got them from a free range farm when they were changing stock, so they are getting on a bit!
one of my hens has developed a white powdery beak and bum, i've tryed researching the symptoms but cant find anything, could some one point me in the right direction as i don't know whether to put her in quarantine or if its nothing to be concerned about! please help!!! 

[bantam novice]

Welcome to the forum, Squidy.  I am not very experienced but others here are and will be along to give you advice.  You may want to try taking the temperature by feeling under her wing and feeling under the wing of another hen to see if she feels hotter.  Is she eating, drinking and poohing OK?  Is she quiet and hunched or scratching about with the other hens?  What has she been eating?  I hope this helps.  Good Luck!

[fenella]

New one to me  - you say her beak is white & powdery, could she have got this from pecking at the bum area, or is it the beak itself is different (like our nails go when we're in poor health)? Is she otherwise in good form, ie perky and feeding?

Either way my first action would be to worm them all, as 6 months is the usual interval between wormings (and the chances are the farm won't have wormed them prior to replacing them). I use flubenvet with good results.

[Squidy]

she's feeding ok, she seem's a little reclusive but not to the point that i would have noticed if she didnt have the white stuff on her, will check temp later! thanks for the quick replys, they're on a layers diet with a late afternoon corn feed!

[ehs284]

Just check that she hasn't found her way into some white powder/paint. Does it wash off? If so wash and watch what happens.

[Aunt Sally]

Hi there.  A picture would be useful