Chronic Pasty Butt Problems

[ChooksChick]

Quote:
I would do that, and mix in a bit of agave, sugar or honey into it. If you use honey, nuke it and let it cool first, as honey can harbor bacteria that young babies can't yet handle, including minute amounts of botulism. They do enjoy the sweet flavor, and will pick at it better if you sprinkle some feed on it for contrast. I would dribble it along the side of the beak of any who don't actively eat any more.

 

[classicsredone]

I had good luck with gently cleaning their butts, and adding a little olive oil to prevent sticking. To prevent more pasty butt, I also fed them yogurt and clumps of grass with the roots attached. (My lawn is organic - don't use anything chemically treated.) I didn't have any pasty butt after a day or so of that.

 

[Stacykins]

I did just that, Chookschick. Mixed some room temp kefir with a touch of sugar, and dipped beak in it. Less stuck poop, but still looking not adequately hydrated. So every few hours I've been making the little one drink room temp water (don't want to chill the chick with cold tap water).

 

[BrattishTaz]

I was told that keeping a dish of sand in the brooder will prevent and treat pasty butt. I always have and have never had a case of it in my chicks. Too much heat can be a cause.

Good luck!

 

[Stacykins]

Well, I think the little one had a fecal impaction. I've been keeping its bum clean of poo twice a day. But today, the anus looked hugely distended with nothing on the feathers but a sort of fecal plug, and a firm abdomen. I did the same thing though, warm water on a washcloth to clean it all loose. So glad I did that over the sink. SO MUCH POOP. It was like, a darn broke. I just kept cleaning it away as it came out wave after wave. I think the stimulation of the bum getting wiped clean helped the chick move everything out. That chick crapped an entire new chick. It was very watery at first, but then got more solid before finally stopping. No more distension or firm abdomen anymore. I hope this is the end of the chick's poopy butt. I know fecal impaction in humans can cause diarrhea as the feces liquefy to get past the blockage. That must have been causing the pasty butt in this case.

The chick is now sleeping wrapped in a towel on my lap. It got quite wet since I did a LOT of bum cleaning. So hopefully the chick will dry off and be better off without all that waste backing up inside. Like I said, I made sure that the bum was always kept clean, so it wasn't an external impaction, but an internal one.

 

[sharol]

I know it isn't funny, but "That chick crapped an entire new chick." cracked me up. I hope she survives. It sounds like you found the problem, now to keep her hydrated long enough to recover. Let us know how she does.

 

[Stacykins]

I definitely wrote it with being facetious in mind

I am not giving up as long as the chick doesn't. Despite being weak, the little one IS perky and active. I think if this one makes it, it'll definitely be a special chicken. I just mixed up some pureed apple, kefir, and a little bit of olive oil into a thin mixture to come to room temperature to feed the little one. Hopefully the olive oil helps move things along internally if there is still any impacted feces left.

 

[Stacykins]

Little one just passed away. Was cuddling it post bum cleaning and it just closed its eyes. RIP little blue Araucana, you will be missed

 

[BrattishTaz]

I'm sorry you lost her.

 

[sharol]

My sympathy for your loss. You did all you could for her.