Chicken butts

[Hholt]

Some of my little chicks have had poopy butts. We’ve been carefully washing them with warm water. It was suggested to add a probiotic to their water, which we started today. One of the smallest, that always has a poopy butt, looks like her butt is more raw than the others. Just meaning it’s not as fluffy feathered I guess. It’s not red or sore looking, just bare. She’s quite a bit smaller than the others. Is she just younger? Should I be concerned? Any advice?

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

It’s probably too hot in your brooder. What’s the temp in there? Are they spread out a lot? Do they have a spot to escape the heat?

 

[drumstick diva]

Have you noticed other chicks pecking at her behind? When chickens see wounds they are drawn to them and will peck and mutilate the area even more. You could apply some "Blukote" to the area which colors it blue, and has an unpleasant taste.

 

[Hholt]

85-90. They are usually spread out but like to huddle up and sleep.

 

[Hholt]

Have you noticed other chicks pecking at her behind? When chickens see wounds they are drawn to them and will peck and mutilate the area even more. You could apply some "Blukote" to the area which colors it blue, and has an unpleasant taste.

No pecking that seems out of the ordinary. I actually don’t see too much pecking at all. It just looks like her feathers aren’t growing there right now. I wish I knew their exact hatch days to know their development a little better. We have two that are still pretty little and they are the ones that get poopy butts the most. I’ve been retraining them on where the water is.

 

[Hholt]

A friend of mine recently got chickens as well and puts coconut oil on their butts after washing them. She said it seems to help.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. The smaller chicks very likely are somewhat stunted and have not recovered completely from the stress of shipping. Such chicks generally catch up to their flock mates in size and feathering.

 

[Hholt]

Thank you! Any tips on keeping their bedding out of their food and water? We hung the water up a little higher but they make such a mess in it so quickly.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Support the weaker chick with a daily drop of nutri-drench and cooked eggs. I had a little one catch right up with her flock mates by giving her that little bit of extra attention. Good luck.

 

[N F C]

Wishing you success with your flock of littles!