|
|
Post by schroeder on Dec 20, 2012 8:49:37 GMT -5
The eggs my pullets are laying are regularly poop covered. The girls' butts are so fluffy that they trap feces that get transferred to their eggs. Should I trim the feathers around their vents even though we are about to enter the coldest months of the season?
|
|
|
|
Post by bamachicken on Dec 20, 2012 16:34:03 GMT -5
Mine are fluffy to but they don't lay dirty eggs. check and make sure they are not wormy. Sometimes that can make their bottoms gunky
|
|
|
|
Post by schroeder on Dec 20, 2012 18:24:58 GMT -5
I just wormed them about 10 days ago so I'll keep my fingers crossed.
|
|
|
|
Post by korfuskluckers on Dec 22, 2012 14:56:22 GMT -5
What material do you use in the nest boxes? Sometimes the girl like to sleep in there and you get feces in the box. I use pine shavings and the eggs are always clean for the most part.
|
|
|
|
Post by schroeder on Dec 22, 2012 21:58:44 GMT -5
I use straw in the nest boxes and pine shavings on the floor (deep litter). I go in the coop often at night and know I don't have anyone sleeping in the nest boxes. I feed Flock Raiser, have oyster shell always available, and let them free range a couple of hours a day on average.
About 2 weeks ago I wormed everyone with Worminator. Two drops down the throat of each.
I've recently trimmed large poop globs from the butts of two pullets. They were too solid to pull off, and I was afraid to soak their butts since I din't want to leave them in a heated space long enough to dry. I'm wondering if the issue relates back to the worming, since the feeding routine they are on has not changed since they were taken off chick starter many months ago.
|
|
|
|
Post by d12chandler on Dec 25, 2012 17:25:29 GMT -5
I trim all my females and they don't have a reason to have dirty eggs. But ever now and then I get a real dirty egg. I think it's a dirty chicken that doesn't have good manners. I have noticed on the choc bantams there is some with dirty behinds. They are super fluffy, but I also have some fluffy ones that are clean.
|
|
|
|
Post by reniespeeps on Jan 2, 2013 16:43:34 GMT -5
well don you better teach her some manners then lol I try a couple of things when dirty butts start showing up... Since I keep my flock wormed.. that is not the first thought that comes to mind... Sometimes it is merely a change in diet... like added treats and such.. other times I worry that I didn't keep the water clean enough... Soo I put generous amounts of powdered milk into the grain bins and a few drops of bleach in the waters. So far this regiment has worked well for me. Oops.... forgot to say... sometimes washing the dirt off the bird is necessary and making sure they have a good area to dust bath. Now that is something I have to provide here in the cold north where the ground freezes.. I keep plastic trays used for mixing cement in my coop yards filled with oyster shell. The kids will dust bath in them just fine  |
|
|
|
Post by phantomrooster on Jan 25, 2013 4:25:01 GMT -5
Irene, I bought some of those mixing trays like you recommended to me. I used play sand instead. They like it. Thanks for the tip.
|
|
|
|
Post by reniespeeps on Jan 25, 2013 7:27:51 GMT -5
Rooster... that sounds like great I like those tubs because they hold up better than the thinner plastic storage bins. |
|
