Poop butt

[chicken stick]

Advice please. I have 7 day old bantams and some of them have poop build up stuck to their butt. I've been cleaning them but could it b because I use pine shavings in the brooder? Being they are so small the poop doesn't really drop far and gets stuck? I was gonna experiment tonight with just paper bags on the bottom. Any advice is greatly appreciated

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

"Pasty Butt" is not an issue related to your bedding choice, though it *can* be an indication of birds that are too hot, not hydrating, not properly digesting their feed, etc. Some folks have luck with adding ACV to their water, some like to feed soaked or even fermented feed - check your brooder temp (consider the chicks' behavior rather than a number on the thermometer), make sure everyone is drinking enough (this is where wet feed comes in handy) and keep up with cleaning them up as you notice them pasting. Applying a little petroleum jelly beneath the vent can help prevent further sticking.

 

[Jensownzoo]

^^^^Yes, this.

But paper towels or bags over top of the shavings will let you monitor the quality of the droppings while there is a concern.

 

[chicken stick]

Thank you I will keep up the butt wiping and moisten up the food

 

[chicken stick]

do you have any advice about this chicks eye? I touched it and liquid came out. Should I isolate it ? Thanks again

 

[Jensownzoo]

Using a soft moist cloth, gently clean the gunk from the eye and make sure the lids aren't stuck together.

 

[yyz0yyz0]

This is only my 2nd time raising chicks in a brooder but both times I've had issues with pasty butt on at least one of the chicks.

Both times after cleaning their butt, I added a chunk of garden dirt to the brooder for them to pick at and no more pasty butt issues.

Plus they seem to love the dirt, whenever I check on them they are picking at the dirt.