1wk old splash Marans with large scab

[bowwowkitty]

Hello! My one-week-old splash Marans, Honey, has developed a large scab over her navel. I only began to notice it forming after about her 2nd or 3rd day here. Everything that I have read here tells me to leave it until it falls off on its own but it is starting to accumulate poop because it protrudes so far out. I am doing my best to use q-tips to keep it clean and am applying iodine daily. Her poop is normal and she is eating/drinking/behaving as she should be. This scab is driving her crazy, however, and she keeps reaching around to try and get it off. Should I soak her bottom as if she has pasty butt or should I just keep doing what I'm doing and give it a couple of more days? I have grown very attached to her and certainly do not want anything to happen to her. I am worried about the bacterial buildup, despite my efforts to keep the area clean. None of her 4 sisters are picking at her and nobody else has this issue. She is the largest of the 5 but they are all different breeds. I do think that she may be the oldest of the bunch due to the amount of feathering that she had upon arrival (more than I have seen on day old chicks before). Thank you for any advice!

 

[bowwowkitty]

Well, I feel a bit silly because it was pasty butt after all! At least she is in tip top shape now! She was still pooping normally but I finally checked below this "scab" and was able to locate a nice, tiny little healing navel. Softened her up and removed the poop around her vent and she's a happy girl My 1st experience with pasty butt.

 

[chrissynemetz]

I'm glad it was just pasty butt. How is she doing now?