I just took mine to the sink and ran warm water at a gentle stream over her backside while using a paper towel to gently wipe away the crusty stuff. It'll take a minute or two, then pat dry, give the chick a little snuggle, and return to the brooder.
You are going to have to clean the vent area ASAP. You will have to keep checking and cleaning as needed. Some people add a bit of organic apple cider vinegar to the water and claim it works well. I keep a dish of sand in the brooder with seems to prevent it entirely. Search "pasty butt" in the search box for info on the apple cider vinegar dosage. Good luck.
Quote:I did this exactly after 2 days of messing with it and not really having much luck with a rag. Worked perfectly, the chick LOVED the water and besides the fact that the fuzz on that part of his butt was gone and he looked a bit bald, all was well and we didn't have another probem with it. We will definitely go straight to the sink for our next pasty butt chick!
I wash mine in the sink as well. Then after i dip a q-tip in a little olive oil and gently put in on all the little feathers around the vent. It really seems to keep poo from sticking. Good luck!
The sink with a stream of warm not hot, water works for me. It usually passes within a week, if the temp isn't too hot.
I do this while holding the chick up so she can see herself in the mirror. Helps distract her from this unpleasantness.
It's all been said, but just to sum it up: 1. Wash gently 2. Dry 3. Gently apply olive oil around vent area.
Dug this thread up when looking for solutions to my new chicks less-than-attractive rears. Kinda weird - dabbing olive oil on my chicks. Felt a little like premature marinading.
GasMenagerie, I love your quote Ive had my horse obsession for years, and started my quest for chickens 3 months ago with 6 mixed red pullets from my local feed store..followed shortly after with 5 Silkie and 5 Black Dutch banty chicks from a local breeder ..they are now about 5 weeks old and I just went yesterday and picked up 12 more Silkie babies..let the chicken raising begin <3
