Silkie chick.. pasty butt or something else?

[Fuller1991]

I have silkie chicks that are now about a 1 1/2 weeks old. I noticed last week, one had what appeared to be poop dried on its bottom, so I assumed it was pasty butt and brought it in that evening to try and clean it up! When I brought it in and started to try and clean it, I noticed that it didn't really seem to be dried up poop on its butt. It felt like a hard scab almost...and it also looked a little too far down to be on its vent as well. I didn't keep messing with it, as I was scared it may be something to do with its navel possibly, so I dried it off good and sent it back to mama hen. I now have them inside a brooder, and have noticed that the chick is able to poop, and even looks like it's vent is visible. But the hard dark clump or whatever it is, is still on its behind. I've attached pictures to see if anyone have any insight as to what it is exactly... It is acting like a normal healthy chick as well, not acting sick or lethargic...but I noticed it does try to reach around and peck at its butt sometimes...like maybe it bothers it. It's also missing some feathers around the area too.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

You'll have to take a closer look and decide whether it's just dried on poop or a scab.
Coat the lump with a bit of mineral oil for an hour or so to see if that helps soften it, then soak the chicks bum in warm epsom salts and see if that dissolves it away. Dry the chick well with a hair dryer before she goes back in the brooder.

Poop can get really stuck on the skin sometimes.