First Timer, urgent question about pasty butt!!!

[magicktrix]

Yesterday we hatched our first group of chicks, but I am very concerned that one of them may already have "pasty butt"...I cleaned the chick's bottom with warm water, and dabbed a little neosporin on the area to prevent an infection since the vent seemed to bleed a bit. Is this normal? Also, I'm not even sure if I completely solved the problem as there still seems to be a bit of material clogging the vent. Should I go in manually to resolve this and if so, how do I do it? I'm so lost and can't seem to find enough info or pics to confirm that I should even do this, please help!

 

[Judy]

Hopefully the Neosporin will soften it so it can be removed or will come off on its own.

People do different things for this; there are a lot of factors. Might try a search for pasty butt.

 

[magicktrix]

Thanks for the tip

Things are beginning to look better, the chick has eaten a bit since, and doesn't seem as lethargic as before, but stlll no poop.

Keep your fingers crossed for me!

 

[MarlaKaye]

the vent in a newborn chick looks very much like it's umbilical chord where it came off. I guess that would make it the future navel.
I have often seen it mistaken for the vent.

they often look a little bloody on newborn chicks. If The chick is pulled from the membrane in the shell, it will make it bleed, or if the membrane pulled against it. When my chicks hatch I like to go in with tine scissors and be sure that the umbilicus is cut cleanly rather than torn from the chick. I have often seen a poor little one dragging around it's shell by it's bloodie navel, and rolling around exhausted.

Chicks often don't eat the first day, only learn to peck a bit, so they will only have a green discharge in first 12 hrs or so. It willl become Dark brown when they have passed food through thier digestive system.
Hope this helps some.
MarlaKaye