5 day old chick - Swollen vent, possible slight prolapse after pasty butt

[Kailcar]

I have a chick that has been having problems with reoccurring pasty butt. My mother in law was over yesterday to help with the chicks and I think may have scrubbed a little too hard when cleaning her. Now her little vent is swollen and every few hours it's dry and crusty. I have been cleaning her using a warm, wet q-tip to get rid of the crusties, and dabbing some coconut oil on her vent and the surrounding skin to try and keep it from getting dry and hard again.

She is 5 days old and was shipped at day one, so I know she has some stressors from that..

She seems to be eating fine (unmedicated chick starter), drinking fine (water mixed with a little ACV) and I've seen her poop multiple times today (she looks uncomfortable with it but gets it done). I tried giving her little bits of coconut oil orally this afternoon. I'm trying to make her as comfortable as I can and I just want this to clear up for her . I don't want to handle her too much and stress her out, but I also don't want to just leave it be. Any suggestions??

 

[Debbie292d]

I had one like this over the summer. I did what you did with the soaking it off and coconut oil. I applied the equivalent of Preparation H twice a day and it seemed to help along with probiotics. It doesn't look like it's out too far but if it is, I was holding my finger over it for five minute intervals trying to put it in place.

 

[Eggcessive]

Make sure that she is drinking fluids, and offer water often dipping her beak. Add some water to her chick feed, and offer that as well as the dry crumbles. Coconut oil or mineral oil can be given in food to loosen any constipation. Continue to check for pasty butt, because it may recur for a week or two. I usually just use a little warm water and mild soap to gently wash the vent. Dry thoroughly, but gently.

 

[Kailcar]

Thanks for the tips! I've been keeping a close eye on her and she drinks and eats well. I'll try giving her some food mixed with water to see if that encourages so more hydration, just to be safe. I've been checking her a few times a day to make sure she isn't getting clogged up again. I'm more concerned right now with how hard and crusty her little behind is getting. I don't have any prep H on hand so I've been sticking to coconut oil. How often is too often with reapplying? I've been checking her about 3-4 times a day. But only applying 2 or so times a day.

Her skin didn't look so red today, so I'm hopeful.