Protruded anus on baby chick

[Goronson Chicks]

One of my French Black Copper Marans chicks is a week old and I just noticed that the anal area appears swollen and protruded. Does anyone know what this is or how to treat

 

[Brookliner]

Is there poop dried on. If so remove it with a warm wet cotton ball. You might put some prepH and try to massage it back into place. Use a thin rubber glove on the hand doing the massaging. The chick will die if the blockage is not cleaned. It looks to me like it is dried poop on the vent. Soaking with warm wate is a good start. Just keep an eye on it.

 

[Goronson Chicks]

Is there poop dried on. If so remove it with a warm wet cotton ball. You might put some prepH and try to massage it back into place. Use a thin rubber glove on the hand doing the massaging. The chick will die if the blockage is not cleaned. It looks to me like it is dried poop on the vent. Soaking with warm wate is a good start. Just keep an eye on it.

OK - thank you and will do. Have you seen this in yours before? What does that?

 

[azygous]

Your chick has a very common condition called "pasty butt". It's more serious than it sounds. You need to be super vigilant with all your chicks and clean it off as soon as you see it.

Using coconut oil on the delicate tissue will help heal it as well as prevent poop from sticking again.

If not addressed immediately, a plug will form, the poop will back up and kill the chick, and it's a very painful way to die, even though it's one of the most common reasons for losing baby chicks in the first two weeks after hatching.

 

[Brookliner]

I have had it a couple of times with chicks I got at the feed store. I completely agree with azygous for the treatment. Keep an eye one it and look for it with any future chicks.

 

[Goronson Chicks]

Your chick has a very common condition called "pasty butt". It's more serious than it sounds. You need to be super vigilant with all your chicks and clean it off as soon as you see it.

Using coconut oil on the delicate tissue will help heal it as well as prevent poop from sticking again.

If not addressed immediately, a plug will form, the poop will back up and kill the chick, and it's a very painful way to die, even though it's one of the most common reasons for losing baby chicks in the first two weeks after hatching.

Thank you - that makes sense to me and your treatment makes sense, too. I happen to keep coconut oil on hand. What makes the anus protrude? Is there poop stuck in there?
Best,
Maureen

 

[azygous]

The chick is straining to poop, and that causes the delicate tissue to swell and become inflamed. If it continues, the vent will likely prolapse, and that's bad.

Luckily, chicks heal very quickly once the problem is addressed.

 

[Goronson Chicks]

The chick is straining to poop, and that causes the delicate tissue to swell and become inflamed. If it continues, the vent will likely prolapse, and that's bad.

Luckily, chicks heal very quickly once the problem is addressed.

I soaked 2 cotton balls in warm water and cleaned it as best as I could, as you recommended, and then used the coconut oil. The bottom part is still really crusted. But I didn't dare rub any more. I'll work on it again more tomorrow. The chick was a little distressed while I was doing it but once I applied the coconut oil it actually seemed relieved. Thank you for the good advice.