New chicks have poopy butts

[KYGramma]

I have new chicks, I got last Friday. They were shipped as day old chicks. Several of them have poop stuck to their bottoms. I will clean them as I have read, but a forend suggested getting something for scours....what do you think?

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

It could be pasty butt, try and soak their bum in warm water to wash most of it off. It can plug their vent and make then unable to go poop! If it keeps happening I have heard of people gently plucking the down from around the vent to keep the poop less to stick to.

 

[KYGramma]

Thanks. Nothing I need to give them?

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

I'm not sure, I've never had pasty butt before. Thats just the advice I've heard others give

 

[magoochie]

I had this same problem with my order last week. Only a few of the 25 had the problem though.

I used a warm wet papertowel to get the crusty stuff off, then used a qtip and put olive oil around the vent. I read in another post that this would keep the poop from sticking as much.

It seemed to work for me, but i did have to apply it for a couple days.

They say that giving them yogurt also helps (mine wouldnt eat it), because there is a certain bacteria they are missing that causes the pasty butt. So you may give that a try as well.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Just feed them like normal. You do have to wipe their little tushies for them in the early days. I find that using tiny scissors and trimming the fuzz away from their heinies helps. Some chicks just have a LOT of fuzz back there. I know all of my silkie chicks paste up like crazy. A little trim and a daily check fixes the problem. You can also, ahem... baste their heinies with a little olive oil and that can help.

Congrats on the new chicks! What kind did you get?

 

[dsqard]

I agree with the other posters. No need to get scours medicine. In fact I don't think I have read about any one using medicine for scours on chicks.

 

[The Tinman]

Just like Magoochie said, wet(warm) paper towel. Get the poop wet and let it soak in for minute and then wipe. You might have to do this a few times to get it all. Also be warned that if you give them yogurt they will love it and get it everywhere.

 

[magoochie]

Quote:
I tried to give mine yogurt, but they wouldnt touch it. I even dipped beaks in it, and they just ran away.

Was weird, i thought they might like the snack, but not my little ones. The grown ups loved it mixed in with their oatmeal yesterday though.

 

[KYGramma]

Thanks everyone! They are red sex links! I ordered 25 and I think this will give me about 60 total....whew! ... I need to change my sig but forgot how.