new chicks...crusty poo clogging butt...advice please

[Stephanie-n-Hayden]

A friend gave me three of her newly delivered batch of baby chicks. I am fairly new to all this, but have raised two sets within the past year. One of these new babies, they are about 1 week old, had a large ball of dried poo clogging her butt. I had read about it on here previously so I soaked her lil bum in warm water and wiped at it with a warm wet paper towel until I got it loose and it came off. I have been checking on her and have had to do this once more this week. Her butt-hole seems to be a bit swolen compared to the other two and though I have witnessed her pooping on her own, it still looks clogged and dried a bit. Is she constipated or is this normal? Is there anything I can add to water or food to help ease this issue? Other than this, she seems to be doing well. Any advise about this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[srodems]

we got some new small chicks and when they came from the feed store two of them had poop stuck under their vents. I think this was from being in with so many other chicks, that when they pooped in close quarters it stuck. We just rinsed with warm water and worked the stiff stuff off, and then trimmed with scissors what wouldn't come off. Their vent area was a little red after we did the removal, but hasn't been a problems since. Hope this information helps.

 

[LovinMyPeeps]

Give them a little yogurt. It works good for chicks just like people with stomach problems, just dont leave it under the heat lamp for long.

 

[bantybev]

You can also put a little olive oil on the vent so the poo doesn't stick next time she goes. Make sure to keep it from blocking or it can be fatal for them.

 

[SPRING CREEK FARM]

Yes, olive oil or vaseline works very well to keep their little bottom lubricated so that the poo won't stick so easily. Check them first thing in the mornings and also at bedtime. In a day or two, you should not have any more of this problem.

 

[ranchhand]

All good advice so far! It's called pasty butt, when you get a chance run a search on it. It's pretty common and you are doing all the right things. The yogurt is a great idea.

 

[Stephanie-n-Hayden]

I just went to check on them again. It appears that she is straining constantly trying to push the poop out but it continues to get stuck in her butt. I cleaned her again and her butt is still looking swolen and she asks as though it is sore (I'm sure it is). I put some vasaline on her butt. When I returned her to the brooder, it took only a couple of minutes and she pooped quite a bit, runny and light brown. I hope I am doing the right thing. Would yogurt help?

 

[Stephanie-n-Hayden]

Quote:
Thank you, I will definately try this. Plain yogurt or flavored? I have flavored yogurt but if plain would be better, I can get that tomorrow.

 

[Stephanie-n-Hayden]

Quote:
asks=acts

 

[LovinMyPeeps]

Plain is ideal, but sometimes the fruit flavors appear more palatable to them, just like people.