Hi!! I’m New :) And Also, Pasty Butt :(

[DankyKang]

Hiii!!!!! I’m Beppi!! I’m 21 and I just got my first flock of baby chicks today :0!! I opened my front door this morning to a chirping box!! I was totally not prepared at all since they arrived before any of the things I ordered for brooding (? The right word?!?) They are finally all situated (bedding, heat lamp, water dish in a nice cardboard box) but one of them has pasty butt! I thought he was just a chill dude at first but fortunately the only thing I did learn from my first deep dive into chicken research was about pasty butt! Does anyone have any advice for making sure the baby makes it ? Sorry for all the exclamation points I’m just excited !!!

 

[Pork Pie]

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Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[Shezadandy]

Hiii!!!!! I’m Beppi!! I’m 21 and I just got my first flock of baby chicks today :0!! I opened my front door this morning to a chirping box!! I was totally not prepared at all since they arrived before any of the things I ordered for brooding (? The right word?!?) They are finally all situated (bedding, heat lamp, water dish in a nice cardboard box) but one of them has pasty butt! I thought he was just a chill dude at first but fortunately the only thing I did learn from my first deep dive into chicken research was about pasty butt! Does anyone have any advice for making sure the baby makes it ? Sorry for all the exclamation points I’m just excited !!!

Pasty butt is pretty easy to deal with, though it will take monitoring on your part - checking that chick multiple times each day and keeping it washed up.

One tip I've learned is wear a shirt with really long sleeves. Chicks are much easier to wash up when they can tuck their heads into a sleeve (like ducking under a momma hen).


NOW, VERY important. Before you begin, locate the chick's umbilical cord, which will be under the vent. It's extremely important that this not get pulled on when you go to clean the pasty butt.

Here's a very clear picture and article. I can't stress that enough. The end of the umbilical can feel rough and you may mistake it for poop if you don't know what you're feeling. The umbilical is the last thing that closes before the chick hatches, so things are very delicate back there. Think of it like a freshly glued vase.

https://the-chicken-chick.com/pasty-butt-in-chicks-causestreatmen/



I support their feet and hold the body with one hand, like a claw in the grab-a-toy machine, much like shown in the article- you're looking at the top of your hand with the chick held underneath by your fingers- and let the chick stick its head into your sleeve. Then you can hold the chick with your non-dominant hand and use your dominant hand to perform the task.

I like to get the water to a temperature that's certainly not cold, but also not, of course, hot. I do this before grabbing the chick.

Then I do my "claw" grab (cover your sink's drain hole just in case- like a bowl or saucer plate), let te little tuck into the sleeve, then I slowly and gently run water (doing your best to keep the rest of the chick dry.

Some like to use a cloth or paper towel- for me a cloth for a young chick is too big and the risk to the umbilical is too high. Paper towel … too rough for this age and for that area. So- I let the water (and fingers) do the work of dissolving the pasty butt.

To dry - I dab the area with toilet paper … then I hold the chick much the same way as I washed it, letting them put their head up my sleeve- then I go for the lowest setting on the blow dryer - and afterwards kinda fluff up the down with a small piece of toilet paper.

Make sure the fluffy down is fully fluffed before returning it to the group - because the vent is constantly moving - a bare exposed vent - can invite unwanted pecks from its friends.

The more you stay on top of it, the easier and shorter the task.

 

[DankyKang]

Wow this all really is helpful!! I read that article earlier and gave the baby chick a bath in a small Tupperware dish and held them until they dried off so he could be warm. Not sure if that was the best thing but I will definitely be using your advice about the sleeves from now on!! Thank you so much !! <3

 

[Shezadandy]

Wow this all really is helpful!! I read that article earlier and gave the baby chick a bath in a small Tupperware dish and held them until they dried off so he could be warm. Not sure if that was the best thing but I will definitely be using your advice about the sleeves from now on!! Thank you so much !! <3

You are quite welcome! Stumbled on the sleeve idea quite by accident - it has proven very useful! As long as the chick stays warm and comfortable, all is well. If your Tupperware method works for you, fantastic! I would add a washcloth or something else for traction on the bottom if you're back into pasty-butt land again and decide to do it the same way.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Pasty butt is frequently due to a brooder that is too warm. You need one warm area for them and the rest of the brooder should be cool with lots of ventilation. That is tough to do with a cardboard box and a heat lamp.
Good luck with your chicks and have fun watching them grow.

 

[Isaac 0]

Hello, and Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined!

 

[N F C]

Hi, it's nice to have you here with us...congrats on your chicks!

 

[rjohns39]

Hi Beppi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to our FUNomenal Flock!
Grab a roost & enjoy your time here!