Pasty butt - please explain

[johnnalei]

I've been reading threads about 'pasty butt', but I'm still a bit confused. What is it caused by? What exactly should I do to remedy it? What ages are the chicks when they can have it? How can I properly identify it to know it's not something else? Thanks!

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Pasty butt is dried poo blocking and/or plugging the vent where the chicks poo. If not removed in time, the chicks will die because they can't poo.

Three of my standard size chicks and two of my banties came home from the feed store at ages 2-4 days old with pasty butt.

I tried the wet paper towel or Q-Tip but that didn't work. I just held them gently over the bathroom sink butt facing forward and let barely warm water run over the dried poo and gently softened it till it came off - sometimes taking 2-4 minutes. (NEVER pull it off or you could pull out intestine).

Then I dried them with a dry wash cloth until mostly dry then back under the heat lamp with the others.

Most of them either poo'd while I was drying them or did as soon as they got in the brooder.

My silkie got pasty butt a couple more times after that until I lubed on a little ointment after drying her off.

Some folks add stuff to the water but I didn't. Mine didn't have any trouble after the first week but I read chicks can get it anytime due to stress and/or constipation.

 

[Rolsjo]

I'm probably one of the least qualified people to answer anything, but here goes.

Pasty butt is when a chick has a piece of poop that dries blocking the vent. Some chicks may just have some dried under the vent. If left untreated the chick can no longer defecate and could die. A warm, wet washcloth or paper towel can be enough to wipe it away. Otherwise, soak the chicks bottom in some warm water for a couple minutes, then wipe away the mess.

Lightly blow dry their bottoms so they don't get chilled. I just had to do this this morning, which cracked up my husband.

We've had our chicks since Monday and I've had to clean two of them so far.

As far as causes or prevention, I'll leave that to the pros.