Having trouble breaking up some poopybutt

[Battlepants]

Brought home some chicks a few days ago and one of them has a decent case of poopybutt. Been trying to break it up each morning with water and a paper towel but generally not making much progress before the chick gets distressed and needs to go back to her flock.

I do know that her vent is clear (visual inspection and the fact that she pooped on me twice this morning), so I feel that this might not really be an emergency, but is at least some discomfort and something that needs monitoring. The matting of poop is about 1-2mms below her vent.

So to my questions - Should I continue with the daily water/towel massage until this entirely breaks up? Should I leave her be with this as long as the vent remains clear and just let the growing out of the down feathers push it away naturally? Or should I take a more aggressive approach such as trying to float her butt in some water to try to break it up further? Or are there any more effective methods that are suggested?

Thank you.

 

[GrumpyRoo]

I ordered some chicks one time and got one chick that seemed to have an umbilical scab that would catch poop and it seemed we could never get it all the way off. But we just checked his butt everyday and kept the vent open like you are doing and he ended up being okay. I hope this helps.

 

[Battlepants]

I ordered some chicks one time and got one chick that seemed to have an umbilical scab that would catch poop and it seemed we could never get it all the way off. But we just checked his butt everyday and kept the vent open like you are doing and he ended up being okay. I hope this helps.

I looked up a few pictures on this and I think this might be what I am dealing with here. I'll keep her on monitor and make sure the vent remains clear but otherwise just let natural healing take place.

Thank you.

 

[Chicks in VA]

you could also use a wet cotton swab
and if the poo is dry then you might just want to hold the moist paper towel there to let it soak

 

[Iluveggers]

Get some coconut oil and rub it into the dried poop. Eventually it will start sliding off once it soaks in a bit. Warm water on it will help as well, just make sure your chick doesn’t get chilled!

 

[kerbotx]

Slather on some Vaseline/coconut oil/vegetable oil throughout the day, it will eventually soak through the poop, making it easier to remove.