chick will pasty butt

[cluckmecoop7]

Hi all,

I just got 6 chicks about a week ago. One of them (marshy) has what is called pasty butt. (I think) It is a real bad one. (I think....again.) Can someone tell me what to do? I read that if I just leave it the chick might die.

Pics:

Thanks so much!

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Use warm water to soften the plug and gently wipe away with a damp cloth.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Thanks @A_Fowl_Guy! But can you be a little for informative? when you said: "Use warm water to soften the plug..." I want to know HOW to do it?

Thanks,

 

[Chickassan]

After you soften and remove the poo plug put a little baby or other safe oil around the backdoor area.
It will save you alot of trouble in the future, you can even use a little hair conditioner if that is all you have.

 

[DobieLover]

Thanks @A_Fowl_Guy! But can you be a little for informative? when you said: "Use warm water to soften the plug..." I want to know HOW to do it?

Thanks,

Take a rag and saturate it with warm water and soak her backside. She will complain. A LOT! Keep it wet and gently wipe at the crust and feathers until all is removed. Use a dry rag to dry her bum as well as you can. Put a bit of oil there as @Chickassan suggests then get her back under her heat source to dry.
Keep an eye on her, she may need to be cleaned up more than once.

 

[Chickassan]

I'm not him but I just drop warm water on the area and use a q-tip to slowly and gently maneuver the blockage off the vent
It takes a little while but it works.
You might want to have a few paper towels handy too since you're rehydrating poop and you might need to clear your view from time to time.

Thanks @A_Fowl_Guy! But can you be a little for informative? when you said: "Use warm water to soften the plug..." I want to know HOW to do it?

Thanks,

 

[tcfoster]

You will want to use a q tip or washcloth with warm water to wet the area around their bum, this will help the poop come off cleanly. After it's loosened, dab some mineral oil on it and try to gently remove it. If it doesn't easily come off repeat these steps. Stress and temperature changes can cause pasty butt, so make sure your brooder is away from any stressors and also at a consistent temp, and add some probiotics to their food. Here's a link to lots more info about it: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/help-pasty-butt.827/

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Do as the others say using either a washcloth or qtip and wipe it away gently. Pasty butt is usually caused by stress or being too hot.

 

[rebrascora]

I would go so far as to soak it's back end in a tea cup of warm Epsom Salts solution. That is quite a bad case and it will take some uncaking and soaking will do it quicker than just blotting it or using warm compresses. It may take several soaks and gentle coaxing to get it all clear and it will die if you don't clear it.
Pasty butt can be caused by the brooder being too warm. Make sure you have a warm end and a cool end and keep the food and water at the cool end.
Good luck.

 

[imnukensc]

I hold the chicks butt under lukewarm running water. Gently massage the poop ball until it all comes off. Dry with a paper towel.