Help - 2 week old chick having trouble pooping

[Eggweiner]

A bit weird I know but - I have a 2 week old chick who seems to be having trouble pooping. Every time she poops it gets stuck to her little bum feathers and I have to wash it off with warm water.
She is also a lot smaller than her sister chick, who hatched at the same time.

Does anyone have any idea on why a chick so small would be having trouble popping?

 

[luvmychicknkids]

"Pasty butt" is pretty common. It can be caused by a few things, being too cool is one I think, but sometimes it just happens. Just keep her little bottom clean (check it constantly), you are doing the right thing gently washing her, and she will grow out of it eventually. Good luck and

 

[Eggweiner]

Thanks for such a speedy reply, luvmychicknkids.
It can’t be from being too cold as the 2 chicks are living in my bathroom in a large cage, on a heat matt with a wall heater constantly keeping the room warm (I’m probably babying them too much, but they are my babies!!)
So as you said it must just be one of those things that happens.

I’ll keep doing what I’m doing by cleaning her…thanks again

 

[luvmychicknkids]

LOL....oh, I didn't know they COULD be babied too much!!!

You are quite welcome. I had one who did this out of 10....she was the only one. I can't even remember who now it has been so long ago. Enjoy them, they grow up VERY fast.

But they are wonderful grown too.

Oh, and just for reference, you talk about chickies, we NEED pics!!!!!! LOL Pics are always welcomed as we all love to see babies (and in-between, and adults........)

 

[Eggweiner]

Yeah you’re right, they can’t be babied too much

I have other chickens ( 7 reds and a silky X) and Rooster.
I got these chicks from the produce shop though as they were the last ones left and I couldn’t resist.

The little chick in question got me quite worried though, because when the poo sticks to her bum it dries quite quickly and I don’t think she’s able to poo any more until it’s washed off.
I’m glad I stumbled onto this place though as I’m sick of paying $60 vet bills to vets who have no idea about chickens anyway.

Thanks again and I’ll get cracking on some chickie pics this weekend

 

[HeirloomHeritageFarms]

This is common, especially if loose litter or crumble feed is in the brooder for the little ones. FYI, the little one will die if the butt is not cleaned off the way that you have been doing it.

It's not a disease, or something uncommon. We get it often since we have 30 chicks or so in each brooder bin, and the sillies LOVE to spread their crumble feed everywhere. Eventually, if the poo doesn't come off the bum fuzz, it accumulates and blocks off the ability to poo.

We have to take time and wash off the bums of about 40 chicks... we have about 200 +/- in the brooders now...

Dawn
Heirloom Heritage Farms

 

[Eggweiner]

Hi Dawn,

Thanks for the reply

My 2 littlies LOVE spreding the chick starter all over the place too, it's so cute seeing their little legs kick all the food out of the bowl

I'm having to wash the chicks bum less and less so she's getting better.

Thanks again!!

 

[mrpabaloogi]

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