2wk old chick with a chronically poopy butt

[gladahmae]

BUT I'm pretty sure it's not pasty butt since its vent is never covered/restricted. Basically, every day for the past 2 weeks I have been bathing this poor little chicks (SPLASH WYANDOTTE, LARGE FOWL) bottom since the poop builds up pretty quickly. It's ALWAYS white. Always. It's like it has diarrhea and THAT is what is getting all over it's bottom. At this point I have inadvertantly pulled out quite a few feathers because once it dries, it's like cement! Does anyone have any suggestions? Dietary remedies? Pumpkin? Yogurt? It behaves like a completely normal chick other than this one thing.

 

[gladahmae]

anyone? any ideas?

 

[JackE]

I had the same problem with my first group of chicks. I remember having to soak and get that mess off of them without hurting them, nerve racking. I found out the problem came from me giving them water that was too cold. Their water has to be at room temp. Their little digestive systems can't handle cold water properly. I've raised two flocks since, and have not had that problem any more. As far as diet goes, all I fed them was crumbles, nothing special.
Jack

 

[gladahmae]

Yeah, I've been doing that too. And adding ACV to it. Their water is in the brooder with them, and when I add fresh I put warm-ish water in it, so that it stays around the same temp.

 

[JackE]

Might be that her system is not properly tuned in yet, but hopefully, and most likely, she will grow out of it. Maybe you could smear a little vasaline down there to make cleaning easier, and to help keep stuff from sticking. Good luck with her.
Jack