What qualifies as pasty butt and needing intervention?

[tiawieclaw]

Hello!
I apologize for the descriptive language, its a little gross but any advice helps
Once a day I check all my chicks for pasty butt, it absolutely stresses them out and they chirp loudly no matter how gentle I try to be. I have some chicks that have minor poopy bits around their bum somewhat close to the vent but not on the vent, I understand that this could escalate but it hasn’t for the few that have so I worry about stressing them out more to completely remove poopy bits especially since some are so close to the skin and matted, I don’t want to rub their skin when not necessary.
If their vent lip part is poop-less and able to move then are they in the clear? Also if they poop again does that mean not clogged and in the clear or I should check again if stuck?

 

[WingItRanch]

Typically chicks shouldn't have any poop on their butts. They should be completely clean when they poop so if you're seeing any build-up, something is up.

Double check your brooder temperature. If your brooder is too hot and there's not a cooler place they can avoid the heat, this will often cause pasty butt.

Chicks will chirp unhappily when you handle them. No way around that. When you clean them up, you shouldn't have to do any rubbing. You should be able to just hold them in warm (not hot) water and soak the poo off. It should come off pretty easily without effort.

 

[tiawieclaw]

More context: bought them from a local farm store last Thursday (almost 1 week old), I use unmedicated chick starter, no grit or treats provided yet but I have some ready for a little older, I use a little bit of chicken electrolyte and probiotics for their water, I’ve been doing the lukewarm-room temp paper towel method to soak the region of poo but often the chick is freaking out by the time it starts to soften so it’s not been perfect but has made the bum area cleaner/safer enough i think??

 

[WingItRanch]

More context: bought them from a local farm store last Thursday (almost 1 week old), I use unmedicated chick starter, no grit or treats provided yet but I have some ready for a little older, I use a little bit of chicken electrolyte and probiotics for their water, I’ve been doing the lukewarm-room temp paper towel method to soak the region of poo but often the chick is freaking out by the time it starts to soften so it’s not been perfect but has made the bum area cleaner/safer enough i think??

Ah I see. Instead of a wet paper towel, get a small bowl of warm water and literally hold the chick's lower half in it. You may be surprised... some chickens relax in the warm water and calm down.

 

[tiawieclaw]

Typically chicks shouldn't have any poop on their butts. They should be completely clean when they poop so if you're seeing any build-up, something is up.

Double check your brooder temperature. If your brooder is too hot and there's not a cooler place they can avoid the heat, this will often cause pasty butt.

Chicks will chirp unhappily when you handle them. No way around that. When you clean them up, you shouldn't have to do any rubbing. You should be able to just hold them in warm (not hot) water and soak the poo off. It should come off pretty easily without effort.

Okay thank you! I have read around 95 for the first week and they haven’t huddled directly under it but they don’t go too far, I’ll adjust it a couple degrees. I also think my water must be a little too close to room temp, very slightly warmer probably makes a difference. Thank you for the advice I will try these fixes!!