3-day-old is pasting and looks a mess

[Moselle]

My RIR chick is pasting. I cleaned her last night and this morning by dabbing warm water on her bum. She looks a mess (although some of it may be from the vaseline - just a bit like she has hemroids. I gave them a bit of plain yogurt and she took a little peck. She seems to be eating and drinking OK. Is there anything else I can do for her?

 

[SpottedCrow]

Pasty butt can be caused by her getting too hot or too cold...
Storey's guide says giving a tiny bit of uncooked crushed oatmeal may help or just strictly giving chick starter.

 

[Moselle]

You know, I have struggled a bit with brooder temp. When I position the heat lamp so the thermometer reads 90-95* (which involves using a towel to direct the heat downward), the chicks all congregate on the other side of the brooder. But when I remove the towel and the thermometer reads only 85-90*, the chicks move around the brooder more and take naps on the side of the heat lamp (spread out, though, not huddled).

Maybe I need to be less obsessive about the thermometer and just make sure the chicks are acting comfortable. I did see "pasty-butt chick" have a nice poo

, so hopefully she'll work everything out. I put some olive oil on everyone just in case.

I appreciate the fact that I can feel so comfortable discussing chick poo with ya'll.

 

[bigzio]

It's always best to go with the way the peeps are reacting to the heet. Sounds like you should pay less attention to the thermometer. If the brooder was bigger they would prolly go even farther away than they are. If they are sprawling out and seem comphy that works best.

bigzio