Poopy chicks

[Annyolive]

Hi

Have three Buff Orpington chicks who are a week old tomorrow

They are lovely but am a complete newbie and find info I find online pushes me from one terror to the next

Was worried they would die of cold but now think - in present glorious Scottish weather - their digs may have been too hot!

It's one of things which might be making poopy butts apparently.

Tried gently to use kitchen towel and a little warm water to soften and clean it off but only got a little off

Just moved their heater up a bit. Don't have probiotic but given them a wee bit of live plain yogurt.

Somebody else suggested scrambled egg but not sure how that helps?

Am attaching video. Is my first hatch so not sure how bad it is

Thanks

Anny

 

[JamminCats]

I've seen worse pasty butt. I'd say keep at it a few times a day; make sure the vent isnt blocked. I find paper towels work better than cloth towels.

 

[Annyolive]

Thanks JamminCats

I will do that

Thanks for getting back to me so swiftly

Anny

 

[coach723]

What kind of heat source are you using? You can also use Q-tips or cotton swabs, just be gentle, the vent tissue is very delicate and you don't want to damage it. You can also apply a tiny bit of petroleum jelly around the vent to help keep poo from sticking and make it easier to clean off. Too warm or too cold can both contribute to pasty butt, brooder temp should be about 95 degrees F the first week in the hottest spot with room to move away from it, and temp decreases 5 degrees each week until you are at ambient temperature. It's best to check the actual temperature at chick level with a thermometer.

 

[Annyolive]

Thanks Coach723. Will see if our human thermometer will work - only other option is meat thermometer which seems very wrong!
Will try the other things to
Thanks again