What is the hard thing on my chickies bottom?

[beverlyl]

My cickies are 5-6 days old and have a hard thing on their bottoms. They are able to go to the bathroom. I tried to wash it off with a paper towel and it was really hard.
not the best pictures sorry.

 

[REINABUGY]

That is pasty butt. Dried poo

 

[TipsyDog]

Looks like your chicks have pasty butt. You need to wash it off - hold them under some warm running water and gently get it off. It's very important that you keep their butts clean. Some chicks get it more than others, so just keep an eye out.

ETA: You should have them on some paper towels for the first couple of days. Newspaper is not a good material for the chicks - they can get splay legs from it! Use wood shavings (NOT cedar) or pellets in a couple of days, but paper towels now.

 

[teach1rusl]

I'll tell you, I had one chick that has a hard dried clump of poo under her vent area too. Like yours, she could still use the bathroom, but a little more poo clung to the mass each time she went. I could NOT get it off with just a warm rag. I actually ran a few inches of warm water in the sink and sat her in that (holding her soothingly in it, because she was afraid). But once she'd been in it a minute or two, she actually seemed to enjoy it. I had to sit there with her soaking and work soak over the clump. I got MOST of it off. Then I had DH assist me in clipping the rest off (I was too nervous to try it alone...was afraid I would cut her because it was so close to her skin). After that area was trimmed up, I never had another issue with it. Good luck!

 

[MydearWatson]

I've been dealing with pasty butt with my one Silkie for days now.

She had it really bad today. I pulled off a chunk that was blocking her vent and she pooped right after. I think it was 100% blocked! So scary!! She has been walking around with a greasy butt from the olive oil I am using. I skipped it last night because she was looking good, I guess the blockage happened overnight. I am SO freaked out now! Had she stayed blocked..... I dont even want to think about it!

I have been wanting to cut her fuzz but it is just so scary! I think I will have to do it today though. Any tips?