Pasty butt help!

[Andijam]

I’m a new chick mama and I have 10 almost 2 week old chicks. 8 of them are easter eggers and 2 are silkies. One of the EEs has pasty butt. I clean it every morning and night. But it is always covered. He/she is the only one with this problem and seems otherwise healthy I’m not sure how to stop this from happening again and again thanks for all help!!

 

[azygous]

Is this chick smaller than the rest by some chance? It could be this chick has an underdeveloped digestive system and isn't able to handle something it's eating.

What are you feeding the chicks, including treats?

 

[Andijam]

Is this chick smaller than the rest by some chance? It could be this chick has an underdeveloped digestive system and isn't able to handle something it's eating.

What are you feeding the chicks, including treats?

No this is one of the bigger chicks out of the bunch, they are on chick starter food from the feed store regular water and no treats as of yet. And it’s the only one that is having this problem. Rest are fine

 

[bluemtnwmn]

Is there something else that may be stressing this chickie? Dehydration (from overheating or not drinking enough) and stress (cold, too much handling) can cause pasty butt. Also you can try adding a tablespoon of ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar) per gallon to their water. Keep an eye out for constipation from the pasty butt also. It can be treated but needs to be taken care of quickly.

 

[azygous]

Do you have any unsweetened, unflavored yogurt or any probiotics?

How about apple cider vinegar with the sediment left in it?

Buttermilk? Kefir?

How about tofu?

I suspect this chick has an intestinal microbes issue. That is, it may be lacking the healthy microbes in the intestines that aid in proper digestion.

You could try fermenting the chick feed to provide natural probiotics. It would take a couple of days for it to ferment, but it's easy enough to do. Barely cover a cup of feed in a bowl with warm, filtered water to get rid of the chlorine in it, and add a teaspoon of ACV if you have it. Stir a couple times a day and leave it in a warm place, between 70F and 80F. It will be ready for the chicks to eat when it's light and fluffy and smells yeasty.

 

[bluemtnwmn]

I had 2 with chronic pasty butt that finally cleared up just after the 2 week old mark, though 1 had to be treated for constipation also. What a relief when that was over!

 

[bluemtnwmn]

ACV with 'the Mother' works best. In their water or for fermenting feed. The 'sediment' that @azygous mentioned is the 'Mother' in ACV. It is raw and unfiltered so still contains probiotic bacteria.

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

You can put a little dab of vaseline on it's bum to keep the poo from sticking and make it easier to clean while your battling the sticky poo issue.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I like to use a tiny bit of coconut oil on the feathers involved to help any future problematic feces slip off (after I've cleaned everything off), plus it's moisturizing to the skin, which could be dry or maybe even slightly inflamed (worst case scenario) from the acidic fecal matter being on the skin. The last time I had this problem, I believe my brooder was too warm and the heat was making the air too dry. The fermented feed will certainly be beneficial in many ways

 

[bluemtnwmn]

How's your chick?