Chronic Pasty Butt

[ChickenDad14]

Hello, this is my first post and I’m new to the world of raising chickens. I need some assistance with one of our four chicks who seems to have chronic pasty butt.


She is a 14 day old Delaware. Smaller in size compared to her RIR sister who is the same age. I have been cleaning her vent at least twice daily. She almost always has a pasted up vent when I come to check on her. I cleaner her by flushing the vent with warm water and drying with a paper towel. The vent is somewhat swollen, red and it’s always contracting (tensing and relaxing repeatedly). It was like this from the start. Sometimes, she is active and keeps up with the other chicks in the brooder, other times she is lethargic. Her eating is inconsistent. I have them on medicated chick starter feed and I’ve been putting Sav-A-Chick probiotic and electrolyte powder in the water with a dash of ACV. She is always pecking at the walls of the brooder and the plastic portions of the feeder. Its almost as if she is trying to eat the dust. The brooder temp is 85 degrees. I change out the pine shavings every other day. Clean water is changed out daily. Nothing seems to be helping!


Any advice on how to treat this would be appreciated! Her small size has me concerned and I'm beginning to weigh my options.


Thanks.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It can be a gut health issue and sometimes exacerbated by either too hot or too cold.
The probiotic powder is a good idea. I always put Gro2Max probiotic powder in chicks first water and haven't had pasted vent since.
I would make sure the entire brooder isn't at 85F. They need a cool space and the ability to choose their comfort zone.
I would also give some chick grit. That can help digestion too.

 

[ChickenDad14]

It can be a gut health issue and sometimes exacerbated by either too hot or too cold.
The probiotic powder is a good idea. I always put Gro2Max probiotic powder in chicks first water and haven't had pasted vent since.
I would make sure the entire brooder isn't at 85F. They need a cool space and the ability to choose their comfort zone.
I would also give some chick grit. That can help digestion too.

Thank you for the reply! I should clarify that it’s only 85 degrees under the lamp. The rest of the brooder is cooler.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

That should be fine. Sprinkle some size #1 grit on a paper towel and see what they do.

 

[Peeperscreepers]

I had the same problem and after a ton of research I gave some Apple cider vinegar with mother in the water and fed boiled egg yolk with just a touch of plain yogurt and in 2 days it cleared right up. I also grinded the chick food up a little more in a processor so it was easier for it to eat because it was so small. Now I can't tell which chick had the problem.If you search pasty butt you can double check my info because I am fairly new to chick raising also. I hope it resolves for you as well.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

ACV with the mother is helpful because it acidifies the water. Beneficial bacteria prefer an acidic environment while pathogenic bacteria prefer an alkaline environment.

 

[Peeperscreepers]

Thanks for letting me know the "why". I wondered why it is beneficial. Now I know. I love byc, how great for everyone who has knowledge to share. I learn something new everyday here.

 

[ChickenDad14]

I had the same problem and after a ton of research I gave some Apple cider vinegar with mother in the water and fed boiled egg yolk with just a touch of plain yogurt and in 2 days it cleared right up. I also grinded the chick food up a little more in a processor so it was easier for it to eat because it was so small. Now I can't tell which chick had the problem.If you search pasty butt you can double check my info because I am fairly new to chick raising also. I hope it resolves for you as well.

Peeperscreepers, how long did your little one have this problem?

 

[Peeperscreepers]

I spent over two weeks cleaning it's little fluffy butt. It hated it. And I didn't enjoy it, it worried me getting its butt wet everyday sometimes twice. Then I started the acv and egg with yogurt. the pasty butt was better but still a issue for a couple days. It cleared up completely after that and grew a ton. I noticed what I think was the egg that really helped with the loose poo. Maybe give it a try.

 

[ChickenDad14]

I spent over two weeks cleaning it's little fluffy butt. It hated it. And I didn't enjoy it, it worried me getting its butt wet everyday sometimes twice. Then I started the acv and egg with yogurt. the pasty butt was better but still a issue for a couple days. It cleared up completely after that and grew a ton. I noticed what I think was the egg that really helped with the loose poo. Maybe give it a try.

Thank you for the replies! My girl's poo isn't always runny. Sometimes there are crumbles that are stuck that I have to dislodge with my finger. Not fun for me or the bird! Lol