Learning curve

[LaurenRitz]

I got chicks last winter, but they were older (mostly). Wednesday I got 10 RIR's at the store and they all looked good. This afternoon I realized that one had pasty butt.

I caught her, washed her off and put her back in. An hour later I checked again and realized that while I had wiped off the poop, she had a hard lump that was distending her vent.

Back to the sink and worked that out. I was concerned that she still wasn't pooping, so I put her in a warm bath. Thar she blows! Within seconds.

She's now huddled under the heater drying off, but she no longer appears to be scratching her butt and she's mostly stopped crying.

I'll check her again in the morning.

 

[Sally PB]

Good for you, getting her taken care of!

Is she eating, drinking, otherwise doing normal chick things?

 

[ChickNanny13]

ACV in their water may help pasty butt in chicks but now I started fermenting feed from day one.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Pasty butt is usually caused by being too hot. I would avoid giving a full bath to a chick but she seems good now so no harm done. Make sure they have a way to get away from the heat. I often put a drop of molasses in the water with probiotics the first day or so because it seems to help with stress and keep their poop soft.

 

[LaurenRitz]

Pasty butt is usually caused by being too hot. I would avoid giving a full bath to a chick but she seems good now so no harm done. Make sure they have a way to get away from the heat. I often put a drop of molasses in the water with probiotics the first day or so because it seems to help with stress and keep their poop soft.

She's one that seems to prefer staying under the heater. She comes out to eat and drink, then goes right back in. Maybe I should raise it a little?

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

She's one that seems to prefer staying under the heater. She comes out to eat and drink, then goes right back in. Maybe I should raise it a little?

I've never used a brooder plate but I've had a couple broody hens and let them hatch chicks. They spend a lot of time under mom the first few days. If she is staying under there more than the others she must need the heat so just make sure she is drinking.