Baby Chick in distress

SherrieT205

Hatching
Dec 27, 2016
6
0
7
I'm a newbie chick momma. I have been reading books and forums such as this (THANK YOU) to educate myself for 3 months. We finally received our order this past Wednesday for our 15 baby chicks. They are mixed breeds and so adorable. I was thrilled to find they all made the journey safely and have been doing wonderfully for the most part. However, I have one (EE) that has had pasty butt since day two. However, it was never bad and I don't believe she was ever completely blocked up. Just dirty on the backside. It has been very easy to clean with a cotton ball and warm water and I would put a dab of vaseline afterward. Yesterday after I cleaned her and put her back in the brooder she seemed to be panting (had her little head up and opening and closing her beak, no noise). So I watched her for a few minutes unchanged. I removed her from the brooder and put her in another box with her own food and water and have been closely watching her. She was very lethargic for a few hours but seemed to perk up in the evening. I have not seen her eat or drink on her own (I have been giving her drops of water and her water does have the Vital Pack for chicks in it ). Her poop looks normal. Her chirp is stronger and more normal today. All the other 14 chicks seem perfectly fine, running around the brooder, eating, drinking, mingling, etc. I put her back in for a few minutes last night because I feared her distress was coming more from me cleaning her bottom and then being separated and alone (she calms down when we hold her). However, I am so fearful she may have something that can make all the others ill so I took her back out. She made it through the night and seems a little stronger but still no signs of eating/drinking on her own. Poop seems normal. I am hoping someone might be able to give me insight as to how long I should observe? Is there anything else I should be doing? All my chicks were vaccinated for Merek's and I am feeding them medicated crumbles (and offered crumbled egg yolk the first few days but no one seemed interested in that). Temperature in the brooder has been 90-93 on the warmer end and I keep the food and water on the opposite end of the heat source. The rest of the chicks seems very content and run (even try to fly) from one end to another. This one looks healthy in all ways beside the seemly more labored breathing and little activity and lack of eating and drinking. Can this be normal behavior for some baby chicks? She was the largest upon arrival, so by no means a runt. Thank you for your help!
 
Last edited:
I'm a newbie chick momma. I have been reading books and forums such as this (THANK YOU) to educate myself for 3 months. We finally received our order this past Wednesday for our 15 baby chicks. They are mixed breeds and so adorable. I was thrilled to find they all made the journey safely and have been doing wonderfully for the most part. However, I have one (EE) that has had pasty butt since day two. However, it was never bad and I don't believe she was ever completely blocked up. Just dirty on the backside. It has been very easy to clean with a cotton ball and warm water and I would put a dab of vaseline afterward. Yesterday after I cleaned her and put her back in the brooder she seemed to be panting (had her little head up and opening and closing her beak, no noise). So I watched her for a few minutes unchanged. I removed her from the brooder and put her in another box with her own food and water and have been closely watching her. She was very lethargic for a few hours but seemed to perk up in the evening. I have not seen her eat or drink on her own (I have been giving her drops of water and her water does have the Vital Pack for chicks in it ). Her poop looks normal. Her chirp is stronger and more normal today. All the other 14 chicks seem perfectly fine, running around the brooder, eating, drinking, mingling, etc. I put her back in for a few minutes last night because I feared her distress was coming more from me cleaning her bottom and then being separated and alone (she calms down when we hold her). However, I am so fearful she may have something that can make all the others ill so I took her back out. She made it through the night and seems a little stronger but still no signs of eating/drinking on her own. Poop seems normal. I am hoping someone might be able to give me insight as to how long I should observe? Is there anything else I should be doing? All my chicks were vaccinated for Merek's and I am feeding them medicated crumbles (and offered crumbled egg yolk the first few days but no one seemed interested in that). Temperature in the brooder has been 90-93 on the warmer end and I keep the food and water on the opposite end of the heat source. The rest of the chicks seems very content and run (even try to fly) from one end to another. This one looks healthy in all ways beside the seemly more labored breathing and little activity and lack of eating and drinking. Can this be normal behavior for some baby chicks? She was the largest upon arrival, so by no means a runt. Thank you for your help!

Two of the prevailing theories about the cause of pasty butt are shipping stress and dehydration. I'd start giving her (and all of the chicks would probably benefit from it) probiotics - the Vital Pack is vitamins/electrolytes, which should also help. You could also try offering wet or fermented feed (even better because it will have probiotics in it) if she'll eat it, but sometimes very young chicks won't eat FF right away. Keep cleaning away the blockage until she's pooping normally, which will hopefully resume soon.

You may also find this thread helpful: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/827/help-pasty-butt. Good luck!
 
I agree wtthe probiotics. But I would use okios triple zero yogurt. It is a very pure yogurt. Then cut out tthe electrolytes. She may be getting too much salt for the heat she has. Instead go to Tractor Supply or your feed store and get the smallest bottle of Bovidr Labs Poultry Nutri-Drench. Give the chick one drop only by mouth. Repeat as needed every 8-10 hours until perky. Drench is all natural and doesn't need digesting. Will jumpstart he immune system and G.I, tract. Restore energy. http://www.nutridrench.com Then put it in her water for the next 2 weeks. The water should look like weak tea. Use it instead of electrolytes for all the chicks. It will get them off t oa strong start. Nutri-Drench also has molasses in it to help regulate her poops. It fights both pasty butt and the runs. Also, go to Walmart and get a cheap hygrometer. Put it in the brooder at the level of the chick's backs. It will measure the humidity as well as temp so you can make sure the chicks have enough humidity as well as heat.
Best,
Karen
 
Thank you for the information @3riverschick and @FoodFreedomNow . I'm very sad to say she did pass away early yesterday before I could start her on the probiotics. Such a sad day for our family for our first loss. I will be sure to find the products you mentioned and have them on hand/begin using them for future needs. I appreciate your advice. I hate that we could not save her but I am thankful she is no longer struggling. That was so hard to watch. Been keeping a very close watch on the others. They all seem to be doing very well. Have a blessed day!
 
Thank you for the information @3riverschick and @FoodFreedomNow . I'm very sad to say she did pass away early yesterday before I could start her on the probiotics. Such a sad day for our family for our first loss. I will be sure to find the products you mentioned and have them on hand/begin using them for future needs. I appreciate your advice. I hate that we could not save her but I am thankful she is no longer struggling. That was so hard to watch. Been keeping a very close watch on the others. They all seem to be doing very well. Have a blessed day!

While I didn't want to mention it earlier, when I first got chicks one had a severe pasting problem and also didn't survive. Sometimes, it's just too much for them or they're too debilitated to respond to treatment (but that doesn't stop me from trying, too!). My heartfelt sympathies to you and your family for your loss.
hugs.gif


Glad to hear the others are doing well - they'll be adults and (at least some of them) will be laying eggs for you before you know it. Best wishes!
 
More than welcome, Sherri. I am sorry for your loss. It's hard when they are so young.
Best Success,
Karen
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom