Distressed chick with red and swollen vent.

[chickenlips]

My little stopped up baby is fine and healthy now! What a relief!!! Aside from being a little smaller than her roomies, you'd never know she'd been in so much distress. Thank you to everyone who was in her corner! I know where to come when I need help.

 

[Llysse]

Hooray!!!!!

 

[Slowdancer59]

No one really knows what causes pasty butt. I have found that my chicks that are highly stressed, ie from big hatcheries, shipping, etc, tend to be the ones that get it.
My advice is to add probiotics to the chick’s water & check each chick’s bum daily. If you see poo on their bum, use warm water on the poo to soften it & gently work it loose. Be sure to dry your chick’s bum before putting it back in the brooder. A very small amount of petroleum jelly on the vent will help keep the poo from sticking.
When the poo dries & the chick is backed up, their body absorbs toxins & they become very sick very quickly. If the blockage is not removed, they will die. Your chicks will outgrow this.
Good luck with your babies!!!