poop

[bungalow10]

My chicks arrived last Tuesday in great shape. No one had pasty butts, everyone was energetic and ate and drank right up.

Four chicks are growing fast, one is still tiny.

Sunday I noticed the tiny one had a large (VERY LARGE) amount of poop pasted to her butt. I couldn't get it off, so had to hold her bottom in water for almost 20 minutes. It was tough on everyone. I did everything I could to keep her calm and warm.

She came through it okay. I had to separate her from the others while she dried and recuperated, but she missed her sisters and they missed her. When I reintroduced her to the brooder, I added some enticing strawberries to keep the focus off her awhile. She did well.

Yesterday I noticed more poop on her butt. Is some poop normal or will it resolve itself? Do I need to clean her again? It was hard on her, so I don't want to traumatize her if I don't have to.

She is eating and drinking and seems plucky. All the girls are playing well together.

Also, I'm assuming the little one is little because of her poop/digestive issue. Is that a valid assumption?

 

[Anianna]

Definitely clean it. A blocked vent is a bad thing. Put some olive oil on a Q-tip and apply to the vent/vent area once you have her all clean and dry. This will help some and the "pasty butt" should clear up within a matter of days.

 

[chickcorner]

I read from other post that Vaseline helps around the area.

 

[Anianna]

Olive oil and Vaseline serve the same purpose. I personally prefer olive oil, being a food product rather than a petroleum based jelly and chicks do pick at each others' rears.

 

[galanie]

I've read that giving them some sort of grit clears up pasty butt. I give mine play sand just to prevent it, plus they need a little since I give the babies small mealworms as a treat.

 

[bungalow10]

Thank you everyone, I will definitely clean her again tonight and apply some olive oil.

I wish I wasn't at work right now, I worry about her.

 

[bungalow10]

Quote:
They just started getting grit on Sunday, so hopefully this won't reoccur.

 

[bungalow10]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I raced home from work yesterday and checked my chick... her vent was clear!

I'll keep checking her daily and hope she's clear.

Now I'm just concerned about her lack of growth. She's energetic, eats and drinks, and seems to be doing the things her sisters are doing, she's just 1/3 their size. Hopefully she'll take off soon.