Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: alexroyall85 on February 15, 2018, 12:30

Title: Chickens dirty bums
Post by: alexroyall85 on February 15, 2018, 12:30

Hi all

Have noticed that some of my chickens have got dirty bums to the point where the feathers have all matted together and one of them has sore red skin like it is chapped. The run has been wet under foot this year and I have been trying to keep it clean with straw every couple of days. Will this clear up as the weather dries up or is this another illness I need to focus on

Many thanks

Alex

Title: Re: Chickens dirty bums
Post by: New shoot on February 15, 2018, 13:06

Hi Alex.  It may be illness, but the first thing would be to clean them up with warm water, towel then off gently and let them dry off somewhere.  Don't get them too hot, but outside is a bit raw at the moment.

While you are cleaning them, check body condition, see if they have lice and check their breathing is clear.  Also check when you last wormed them.

Title: Re: Chickens dirty bums
Post by: LILLILEAF on February 16, 2018, 05:55

Hi Alex
You are not the only one with a muddy run,i found the best thing for my chickens in the mud was not straw but a good thick layer of bark chippings,about 4-5inches thick,the rain will go through it,with straw it only lasts a few minutes,then it is sopping wet,then you will get mould which is not very nice, then it will smell nasty,not nice for you or the chucks.
You can get the chippings from any GS,when the sun comes out the bark will dry nicely.