pasty bottom chicks any suggestions

[kimt816]

i have a mixed batch of chicks age 4-5 days and today i noticed 6 -7 had pasty dried poop stuck to their bottoms the book says gently pick clear and watch any other suggestions.

 

[scrapmom5]

Carefully clean the pasty crud off of their bottoms. Use warm water and a washcloth. You need to get this off or it can block their vent. Once it is off put a smear of vaseline on their hind end to prevent more pasty sticking.

To prevent it in your little ones, keep them away from drafts and make sure they are warm enough. If they stress (like right after shipping) they sometimes get it. I have had one that had it but was able to clean it up.

 

[SpottedCrow]

I had that with Jerry...I plopped his little bum in the sink and let him soak for a couple of minutes, the picked off the ploop. I dried him in a towel and let him hang out with Tom again.

 

[chikkinlittlesc]

I usually give my chicks a little oatmeal mixed with the chick starter. That had always cleared up their pasty butts.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

I just finished cleaning one so ironic to find this post! I tried the washcloth but it didn't work well for me - the poop was really stuck. I found just moistening the poop with my fingers and warm water makes it come off fairly easily. Might have to tug gently but it usually all comes off.

 

[sammi]

keep at proper temp with no drafts..

95 degrees first week..
5 degrees less per week.

make sure any feed that has spilled or gotten wet is cleaned up.
it will go sour under the heat.

 

[basicliving]

I agree with soaking their little butts. I had several that got pasty butt after shipping. It seemed to calm the chicks when I ran a little warm water from the bathroom sink over their rears while gently pulling and picking the poo off. It can get glued to their little tail feathers and difficult to remove - soaking with warm water really does help a little. Smear the vaseline on afterwards to sooth and help prevent it from sticking so bad in the future.