Help! Pasty Butt

Marc33 · Feb 28, 2007

We've got chicks from McMurray hatchery - they arrived Monday morning. We seem to be having trouble with pasty butt and don't want to lose any of our chicks!! They're in a brooder that is not too crowded, we have two red lamps for heat - the temperature seems about right because the chicks aren't piling but are evenly dispersed throughout the brooder. We've put out plenty of food and water - the water has added sugar and Quick Chick. We switched them from paper towels to pine shavings last evening. We're having a hard time cleaning them up using paper towels and warm water. What is the best way to pick it off - we are so worried about hurting them and pulling out their fuzz!

Not sure what is causing this, but does anyone have suggestions on treating and preventing??

Thanks!!!

Wes in Tx · Feb 28, 2007

To hot and not enough protein. Get you actuve culture yogurt and feed to them mixed with their feed. Take away one of the heat lamps. Quit using sugar. Also boil some eggs and feed to them.

bigzio · Feb 28, 2007

Pasting is caused from the stress from shipping. A warm wash cloth and going slowly works best. It can last a few days on some of the chicks, but it will improve on a daily basis.

It's one thing that doesn't happen when chicks are raised by a mother hen.

bigzio

mallan · Mar 1, 2007

I just experienced the same problem. One Araucana chick, which we got from a feed store a few days ago was already a bit smaller than the rest. Today, we found she had a large blockage on the outside of her vent. I picked it off and cleaned her up, but I'm concerned about a dark mass under the skin just up her chest past the vent (general area circled in red):

I suspect there is still some poo stuck in there... any ideas on how to help her pass it? Or is this just some other organ showing through her light skin? I'd appreciate any feedback.

p.s. The other 5 chicks are doing fine.

owlwithpeas · Feb 17, 2009

I found the same lump on one of mine I was trying to clean up this morning. I'm not sure if it's supposed to be there or not!

cluckychick · Feb 17, 2009

owlwithpeas and mallan I think what your seeing it where the cord was attached...

OP: take away the sugar water they don't need it if they are doing fine. Their water should be given at room temp. Cold water lowers internal temps in new chicks. Use a warm wash cloth, warm water to get poo off then use a qtip and olive oil and rub some around the vent and surrounding area.

miss_jayne · Feb 17, 2009

all of mine from MM have pasty butt also! i think it was the grow gel. i am going to have a festival of butt washing.

92caddy · Feb 17, 2009

When I have chicks that get pasty butt, I put some sand in with them, it clears the pasty butt up. I just put in a lid off of a jar and they will eat it when they want. It works great for me.........

gallo34 · Feb 17, 2009

dont forget to medicate!

ruth · Feb 17, 2009

As has been posted, sugar water is only to be used to get their energy level up right after being shipped. It should not be given more than once. Give them chick starter and feed them some scrambled egg.

The other posts seem to be talking about their navel. It's a dried bump, may even still be a red bulb. Don't pick at it. If it bleeds, apply iodine to help it dry.

Help! Pasty Butt

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Marc33

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Wes in Tx

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bigzio

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mallan

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owlwithpeas

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cluckychick

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miss_jayne

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92caddy

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gallo34

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ruth

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