checking for pasty butt with many chicks

[deserthomestead]

I'm trying to watch for pasty butt on my new chicks, but there's 23 of them and it's hard to tell which ones I've already checked, especially when they're all scared and running away!

Is there an easier way to tell which ones need attention, besides trying to pick up each individual chick?

Should I grab a box and place the ones I've already checked in the box, then move them all back when I'm done?

 

[sphillips]

I put all the chicks in a plastic tub, and then take them out one at a time, and check them. If they're okay, I put them back in the brooder, if they have pasty butt, I leave them in the tub. I may pick up the same chick two or three times, but the ones with the pasty butt end up staying in the tub. Once they're cleaned, and have Neosporin on them I put them back in the brooder with the others. That makes it much easier to know who's been checked and who hasn't, and you don't miss any that way either.

 

[Kernel Cluck]

I have never used this product.. Howeve,r I believe some poultry people use a marker that is water soluble and make a small mark on the head. I hope others will confirm this.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

What I do is to sit still inside the shed and then catch each one that I see with pasty butt. I keep at it until I don't see any more. Then I do the same thing the next day. And the next.

I put Rooster Booster pick no more Lotion on their backsides after I get them clean if I see any pink areas that could look attractive for pecking.

 

[deserthomestead]

Thanks, all!
Among my 23, I found 2 pasty ones today, and 1 yesterday. I think I'll use your bucket strategy, sphillips. I just need to make sure I've caught all of them!

 

[Lizz9311]

I'm in the "sit/stand in the brooder and watch them as they run about, catching only those I see with pasty butts" camp. It seemed to work with the 60 chicks I've got.

In terms of telling the chicks apart, I asked about this not too long ago and the following two ideas were given to me:

1. Put a drop of safe food coloring on the top of the chick's head. From what I was told, this is not really a permanent identification system.
2. Use dog nail polish on the chick's feet. You can use different color combinations to make sure you have enough ways of marking your chicks.

I intend to use the second method, I just haven't begun catching the little buggers to paint their toes yet.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I'm in the "sit/stand in the brooder and watch them as they run about, catching only those I see with pasty butts" camp. It seemed to work with the 60 chicks I've got.

In terms of telling the chicks apart, I asked about this not too long ago and the following two ideas were given to me:

1. Put a drop of safe food coloring on the top of the chick's head. From what I was told, this is not really a permanent identification system.
2. Use dog nail polish on the chick's feet. You can use different color combinations to make sure you have enough ways of marking your chicks.

I intend to use the second method, I just haven't begun catching the little buggers to paint their toes yet.

LOL I won't paint toes, I just won't!

 

[nbenevento]

I used the painted toes method and was really helpful, I swear!

 

[deserthomestead]

I did the bucket thing, and they're all looking good now! How long is pasty butt a concern? Just the first few days?

 

[sphillips]

I think about two weeks should be max with healthy chicks. I had fewer and fewer each day, until finally everyone looked good. Have you tried apple cider vinegar (ACV) in their water? I tsp per quart is what I use, and it's supposed to help with pasty butt as well as many other things. All my chickens get it daily. Good to hear your peeps are doing well!