New from North New Jersey

[maryellen21]

Hi all, we are new here, just got 6 chicks yesterday, 3 bantums, 3 sex links.. one bantum died in 5 hours, so today we got a new one . they are in 2 tubs in our spare bedroom , we still have to build a coop (the bf loves to build stuff) and they will probably live in the house until the coop is built and they can go outside. we also have 4 dogs, a field mouse(who will be released when the weather warms up- it was either the dogs eating the mouse or us catching it in the house and he now lives in a 10 gal fish tank and gets bottled water and mouse food .

I have 2 chicks (bantums) who have dried poop on their butts- they are still pooping , but when I try to use a washcloth and warm water to get it off them it wont come off, and I don't want to stress them out. the dried poop must have happened overnight as yesterday their butts were clean. so help..

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

So sorry you already lost a chick. But sometimes the shipping is just too much for them. You can soak the babies butts in some warm water. You can dry them off quick with a blow drier so they don't chill. This will get the poop off. If it continues to happen, then they may have what is called Pasty Butt. It is caused from stress, too high of heat in the brooder, stress from shipping can cause pasty butt and eating too soon from shipping before drinking can cause pasty butt as well.

It never hurts to add probiotics to the chicks water. If you don't have poultry probiotics, you can use human grade as well. One capsule emptied into a plastic one quart water, changed and made new daily. Probiotics will help to boost the immune system of the babies and get a good start on life. Helps to balance the gut with pasty butt as well.

You might want to do some reading in our learning center here on BYC for lots of great tips and hints on raising your new brood....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

If you have any other questions, that is what we are here for. Welcome to our flock!

 

[maryellen21]

Thank you TwoCrows.. I checked the heat its at 80, we moved the heat lamp up higher too. I tried before to get the dried poop off the 2, but they squeeked so much I thought I was hurting them so I dried them off and put them back in the tub. they are getting electrolytes in their water, we haven't gotten probiotics yet.
when we brought them home they all started eating and drinking right away and were all acting fine (except the sick one that passed away)

just their wings are showing a little bit of feathers coming in. I am so afraid of hurting them and stressing them out and having them die from me trying to clean their butts. the poop is really dry and hard, and every time I wipe the area the chick cries even more.i did get a little bit off the one chick, but there is still some there

we also have the bantams separated from the sex links due to the sex links were ganging up on them yesterday and pecking them really hard. once the little bantams get bigger we will intergrate them with the links.

(sorry not used to chickens I am a dog person lol... chickens are really new to me and the bf...

 

[TwoCrows]

As long as this poop is not obstructing the vents, then just let it be. You can even cut it off with scissors if the others are bothering it or you are freaked out by it. LOL But as long as they are eating, drinking and pooping, then nothing to worry about.

And yes, if you have different ages or sizes of babies, if they are too far apart, it is best to keep them in a separate brooder.

 

[maryellen21]

thank you im just worried about stressing them out and having them die.. I will try again tonight and see how it goes, they are both eating and pooping good , drinking good and running around.
yeah the bigger ones were picking on them so we separated them. now my one bedroom has 2 tubs in it lol with 2 heat lamps (we are going to try one heat lamp between both tubs as I have the heat off in the bedroom and it is very hot in there with 2 250 watt heatlamps.

 

[TwoCrows]

First week olds need about 90 to 95 degrees. Lowered by 5 degrees each week.

I wouldn't worry about that poop. I cut things off chickens butts all the time. LOL Especially babies as they are regrowing feathers anyway. If you are worried about hurting them, then follow your gut and don't do anything about it. Eventually if the crud doesn't dry up and fall off, it will molt off.

 

[maryellen21]

thank you again. the one chick is really stressed out so I am just going to leave the 2 of them alone, I did put some olive oil with a q tip on their butts to keep the poop from drying.. I just hope they will be ok, i don't want to stress them out either, i just don't want them dying from not being able to poop.. so far they are pooping, eating drinking running around fine.. i hope the stuff falls off ..

 

[gander007]

 

[maryellen21]

i am never buying another chick from TSC again.. now one of the chicks i tried to clean the dried poop off its butt gently is acting like the one that died yesterday.. i am heartbroken over this,, i was really gently trying to wipe the dried poop off and now the chick is acting all lethargic like the other one did yesterday i feel beyond horrible.. i didn't want to stress them out, i was very gentle trying to clean it .. the water has electrolytes in it so i am really hoping it recovers.. from now on i am buying chicks from people not tractor supply.. the 3 bantams are super small, and im really upset im going to lose another one to stress..

 

[TwoCrows]

What is the temp in the brooder? If the temp is not right, this can cause pasty butt.

Do they know where the water is? Dehydration will cause pasty butt. To make sure they know, dip everybodies beak in water.

Put a heaping tablespoon of sugar in the water instead of electrolytes. The e's can give diarrhea. So go with sugar.

I know you are worried about hurting them, but I really think you need to soak these babies butts in warm water to get the poop off. This poop may be blocking the vents.

Keep the sugar going for 2 days and see if this helps.