Mistaken skin for pasty butt

[Corobinsons]

Hi, we have a Buff Orpington chick about 10 days old now. Got her from Tractor Supply, a long with others. She had pasty butt or so we thought and got it cleaned up with warm water and Vaseline. The problem is there is something hard and crusty attached to her below her vent. I don’t want to pull it off as it feels and looks like dried skin and I don’t want to stress her out. I have read about their umbilical cord still being attached. See attached photos (note there are some shavings and poop clinging) Unfortunately, vets aren’t taking new clients or they don’t see chickens any more in our area do to COVID-19. Does anyone know what this might be or how to treat it?

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

It looks to me like the chick's navel didn't heal completely - I generally put some triple antibiotic ointment without pain reliever on the area to facilitate healing and prevent infection. Sometimes, those umbilical bumps will just dry up and fall off on their own (keep an eye on it, obviously). Best of luck!

 

[Corobinsons]

It looks to me like the chick's navel didn't heal completely - I generally put some triple antibiotic ointment without pain reliever on the area to facilitate healing and prevent infection. Sometimes, those umbilical bumps will just dry up and fall off on their own (keep an eye on it, obviously). Best of luck!

Thank you! I will try this. Is it ok if she ingests some of the ointment when she tries to clean herself?

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Thank you! I will try this. Is it ok if she ingests some of the ointment when she tries to clean herself?

I haven't seen a chick slathered with ointment actually ingest it, so my guess is that she probably won't.

 

[Corobinsons]

Thanks again, this seems to have worked, or the umbilical cord was ready to fall off, within a few days. She has new fuzz growing around her bum.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Thanks again, this seems to have worked, or the umbilical cord was ready to fall off, within a few days. She has new fuzz growing around her bum.

That's excellent! Glad to hear that she's doing well.