Pasty Butt Cure?

[bantamluv]

Hi I just bought 20 chicks from Ideal poultry and some have pasty butt. We have been putting ACV in their water and that has helped some, but we ran out. Before we used the last of it, a bantam died. We don't know how- we just found her the next morning laying in the shavings. Since then, another bantam and two Barred rocks have died. Could we use White Vinegar instead of ACV? I haven't ever used it but I'm not sure I should. Thanks.

 

[Master Hatcher]

white vinegar will work just as well ... apple cider vinegar is fermented apples so its just a tad easier on there tiny bellies ! you may wanna wipe there butts with a bab y wipe if any have any poop on them it keeps it from piling up and causing problems .. if you have any thats caked you can run warm water in sink and stick there butts under it to clean them i have done it a million times ! just dry there hineys off and stick them back under the light they will dry up in no time ...hope this helps

 

[SueT]

No don't use white vinegar. It doesn't have the micro-organisms that ACV has.
Make sure the chicks are not too warm. They need an area to get out of the heated zone into actual room temp.
You might want to moisten feed for them, that might help.

 

[Master Hatcher]

its not the micro organisms that break down the poop and keep it from clinging to them its the acid
White vinegar is distilled Apple Cider vinegar, and loses beneficial minerals and bacteria in the distilling process.
There's nothing wrong with using it, but it's not as good as just plain ACV

 

[rkapfen]

Make sure you’re getting the plug off their vent if they have pasty butt, otherwise they can back up and die. I usually just soak their bum in some warm water and take a q-tip and gently make circular motions until it falls off. Make sure you never try an pull the plug off otherwise you can rip skin off. I would stick to ACV or electrolyte replacement in their water. I hope all your chickens stay healthy!