Hi Everyone! I got 4 new chickens today from a fellow Permaculture member and I need some advice. I slipped the birds in to my coop tonight and realized that one has this very pasty poopy butt. I don't believe it was on the bird when I got her. I am hoping it is from stress since they were transported in a cage, put in my garden for the afternoon and now are in the coop. So if this hens bottom something I should worry about or just see how it plays out. Please see attached picture and let me know. Thanks!
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First of all, did you put the new chickens in with existing chickens? You really need to quarantine new chickens so if there is a problem your existing chickens aren't exposed.
As far as the yucky butt goes, I would clean it up (with the hose) and see if it happens again.
Unfortunately I didn't think to quarentine. I have mixed them already. Should I go take them out or is it too little to late? The only spot I have to put them is back in the fenced garden. Thanks for the suggestion. I will hose her off and see what happens.
I agree with Becky, clean her off and observe. It could be simple stress, or eating new things that were in your garden that she's not used to. Being in a new place with established birds may add stress as they work through their new pecking order, too.
If you want, you can offer yogurt to help the digestion. Electrolytes might be good for the stress, too.
Can you create a temporary shelter for the newbies until you know she's OK?