Help! Hard green stuff on bum.

[micmse]

We had a little chick that got kicked around a lot during hatching and got stuck in his shell. I slowly helped him out and he was covered in the super glue stuff. Today I took him out of the incubator to try and get more of the stuff off him before moving him in with his brothers and sisters. He has some hard green stuff really stuck to his bum. I have been using warm water and a sponge but don't want to pull too hard and hurt him.

What do I do? What is this?

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Keep soaking it in very warm water until it softens. Be sure to keep the chick warm while you're doing this.

 

[Moonkit]

That would probably be what is affectionately called "pasty butt", a common but potentially lethal affliction for young chicks. Thankfully, it is easy to treat. Just do exactly as you've been doing.. continue soaking his bum in warm water and gently work the poo loose. If its just plain not coming loose you can very carefully work a tiny amount of plain Dawn dishsoap into it to help break it up.

Be sure to dry him thoroughly before putting him back with the others and watch for him to get it again. It is very important to get it unblocked because as long as it stays sealed, he can't poop and will die eventually.

 

[Chicken Sisters]

That is absolutely pasty butt! Pasty butt is when a chick has diarrhea and it dries on the chicks bottom. There are many reasons why the chick would have had diarrhea. the best thing to do would be to soak the chicks bottom in Luke warm water until the crusty poop is softened. Then get a paper towel and moisten it with warm water and gently wipe the poop off. Dry the chick and then put it back with the other chicks. Be sure to check daily on the chicks bottom encase it happens again. If so just keep repeating the process until it stops. If you are feeding your chicks very moist things or lots of powdered nuts, this could be whats causing the diarrhea, so its a good idea to either stop altogether, or cut back on it. Hope this helped!

 

[shellyjimrye]

Another thing that I would add to the above amazing responses is to add Organic Apple Cider Vinegar to the chick's water. All of them in fact. It helps with pasty butt and so many other issues that can come up with your chicks. Just have to be very dilligent to keep the vents and butts of your chicks cleaned. Good luck

 

[micmse]

Thanks everyone. The chick is still in the incubator because I am sure the other 23 would pick on him at this point. I will keep working on his bottom and hopefully can get it cleared up.