Pasty Butt Questions

[GeekiTurtle]

Hi All...

My chick got pasty butt and I was able to clean most of it off (vent is clean). My only worry is that some small bits didn't want to come off. Is this a major issue or should it be fine?

PS I'll be monitoring daily incase it comes back.
PSS I don't have pictures as I didn't think to take any and don't want to disturb the chick now

 

[thecatumbrella]

Hi Turtle! You want to make sure you’re not messing with the umbilical cord scab, which is directly below the vent (and kind of looks like poo). The chicks will do a good job letting you know if there’s a problem with your cleanup job. Some are clearly irritated by even a small amount of stuff in their down. You also need to make sure no one else is picking at the debris out of curiosity. Finally, pasty butt chicks can take several days to grow out of it. If you didn’t get to clean as well as you liked, there will probably be a second chance. It is a delicate procedure, so better to focus on being as gentle as possible over getting every last bit.

 

[GeekiTurtle]

Hi Turtle! You want to make sure you’re not messing with the umbilical cord scab, which is directly below the vent (and kind of looks like poo). The chicks will do a good job letting you know if there’s a problem with your cleanup job. Some are clearly irritated by even a small amount of stuff in their down. You also need to make sure no one else is picking at the debris out of curiosity. Finally, pasty butt chicks can take several days to grow out of it. If you didn’t get to clean as well as you liked, there will probably be a second chance. It is a delicate procedure, so better to focus on being as gentle as possible over getting every last bit.

Thank you for your help. I see I forgot to mention that the chick is about 1 week old. I'll keep checking up on (hopefully) her

 

[Lynn Grigg]

Hi All...

My chick got pasty butt and I was able to clean most of it off (vent is clean). My only worry is that some small bits didn't want to come off. Is this a major issue or should it be fine?

PS I'll be monitoring daily incase it comes back.
PSS I don't have pictures as I didn't think to take any and don't want to disturb the chick now

Hello, I've found that feeding fine crushed dry oatmeal or oat brand definitely helps ward off and stop pasty butt in new chicks. Pasty butt can be a killer if not addressed. I really hate cleaning it. It's stressful for the babies.

 

[redinator]

I use olive oil on pasty butt chicks. I get a bit on my fingers and rub it on the clump of poop. After about 20 mins it'll soften and be easier to remove. You might have to do it a few times to get it all off.

When I have particularly fluffy butted chicks they seem to have more trouble with poop getting stuck in their down rather than blocking their vents. I put a bit of olive oil on their butts before bed and it helps prevent poop from sticking. The chicks don't seem to like the feel of the oil on their skin and do a better job of cleaning themselves.

ETA: Do not put the olive oil back in the pantry, seems obvious, but ya never know.

 

[UPCluck]

I used moist paper towel with warm water and mashed it up till it was all gone. If anything is left, new poo can attach and clog them up again.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I found that keeping the chicks a little cooler helps prevent PB. I have a heat source for them, yes, but it only keeps a small portion of the brooder warm. The rest of the brooder is a few degrees cooler and that's where I keep their feed and water. They come and huddle together in the warm area for a bit, or to nap, then they get up and run around and are active in the cool area for a while. I believe this activity keeps their bowels moving properly and they don't get constipated. This mimics life with a broody hen. They huddle under her for warmth for a bit, then they come out and run around in the world!