Pasting (chick butt pic)

[oneboyonegirl]

My 12 chicks arrived 4 days ago (Tuesday).
They all seemed to be doing great. In the short time they have been here I can even tell that they've grown.
I wiped a couple butts here and there, just to be on the safe side.

This morning I went to clean the brooder and all the chicks started peeping and running around when I put my hand in, except 1.
I picked her up first and she had goopy poop all over her butt. I got a damp cloth and wiped her off. She didn't care that I was holding her, but she never did, she is the nicest little chick.

I cleaned the brooder, put them all back in but this one is keeping to herself.

I am so worried!
Do most chicks die if they start pasting?

Do any of you have suggestions on how I can help her?

My book says to add chick scratch to her food or crushed uncooked oatmeal.
Is this ok for all the chicks or should I isolate her?


sorry if I offend but here's her butt after I cleaned it

Thanks for the help

 

[valentinebaby]

Hi - read this recent post - great ideas for you to check out re: pasty butt:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=177081

Gail

 

[JewellFarm]

I have found that ground up dry oatmeal works wonderfully. I usually just add it to their medicated feed and mix it all up. You may want to dab a little olive oil on it's butt also.

 

[debilorrah]

Pasty butt is VERY common for chicks, and no they don't usually die from it - unless it is not cleaned off. If not cleaned off their system can back up because there is nowhere for their poop to go. For your chick try giving her some sugar water and check and see if her vent is swollen. If so, Neosporin!!!! Good luck

 

[oneboyonegirl]

Thank You both!
I am going to add the oatmeal right now and try the Olive Oil.

 

[oneboyonegirl]

Quote:
I've been giving them sugar water since they arrived...today I was goign to switch them to regular water.
I'll stick with it for now.
Off to check for swelling!

 

[KayP]

I have been using the ground oatmeal for two days and-- NO MORE PASTY BUTTS!!!! I'm so grateful to all the BYC wise-people, b/c that was not fun.

 

[oneboyonegirl]

Sad news

The baby chick in the photos didn't make it. I really thought she would...she kept eating and drinking but was so small and weak.
On Sunday she couldn't stand up so I used the vinegar and baking soda method that was posted here
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=147192
to cull her.

Prior to that, on Saturday one of my Rhode Island Reds died. That came on very fast.

We are all sad, had a funeral for both of them.
They were the smallest, all the others seem to be growing so fast and still look healthy

Thank You all for your help!

 

[cochinbantam-lover]

I'm so sorry about your chicks, that is so sad!!! They are so little and helpless, seems like if something goes wrong they don't have enough strength to fight it!!