Protruding/inflamed vent on baby chick

[crichardson720]

Hello. I just joined BYC. We have three adult hens, but just got 4 baby chicks. One of them has had the “pasty butt” that we’ve been cleaning daily since we got her. But her vent looks like it’s protruding out. It’s pretty red and she wants to pick at it. She just can’t reach it. I’ve read that other chicks will peck at it and that we should separate them, but so far the other chicks haven’t really paid much attention to it. I’m mostly wondering if anyone else has dealt with this and what protocol they’ve taken. We are monitoring it closely and clean it 2-3 times a day. It does look as though she has a hard time going poop. After cleaning it, she is usually able to release quite a bit. But it requires us cleaning it and opening it up. I am doing a mixture of probiotics and electrolytes in their water. Just started today that I’m hoping will help?! I put vasoline on her vent. I read that can help from it closing up. Anything else?? I read about putting antibiotics on there, but how do you get antibiotics?? Would I actually need to go to a vet? Any advice or tips would be great! Thanks so much!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Welcome To BYC

Can you post some photos?
What are you feeding?
What's the temperature in your brooder?
Where are you located in the world?

Do you see her drinking well? She may be constipated and needs a bit of mineral or coconut oil. I prefer coconut oil since you can put it in the fridge, break up and give them tiny pieces to eat on their own. Syringing oil/fluids you risk them aspirating.

Offer her some wet chick starter and see that she's drinking.
If she's having a really hard time pooping, then you may need to give her bum a little soak in an epsom salts bath to get things moving - make sure she doesn't chill. Dry her really well with a hair dryer before she goes back in the brooder. Vaseline or coconut oil on the vent can help keep poop from sticking. Not sure what you are refering to as antibiotics? Possible triple antibiotic ointment(?) like Neosporin(?)

Pasty butt can be from being too hot/too cold, dehydration (constipation).

 

[crichardson720]

Welcome To BYC

Can you post some photos?
What are you feeding?
What's the temperature in your brooder?
Where are you located in the world?

Do you see her drinking well? She may be constipated and needs a bit of mineral or coconut oil. I prefer coconut oil since you can put it in the fridge, break up and give them tiny pieces to eat on their own. Syringing oil/fluids you risk them aspirating.

Offer her some wet chick starter and see that she's drinking.
If she's having a really hard time pooping, then you may need to give her bum a little soak in an epsom salts bath to get things moving - make sure she doesn't chill. Dry her really well with a hair dryer before she goes back in the brooder. Vaseline or coconut oil on the vent can help keep poop from sticking. Not sure what you are refering to as antibiotics? Possible triple antibiotic ointment(?) like Neosporin(?)

Pasty butt can be from being too hot/too cold, dehydration (constipation).

We are in MN. The brooder is warm but not too warm. The chicks are in a brooder inside our home. I don’t have a thermometer in there but they all look quite comfortable and content. All the other chicks are doing great. They are comfortable. Not huddled together like they are cold at all.

She seems to be eating and drinking really well. But when she is standing you can see the backside of her just throbbing. It’s like she’s straining to go. She does typically go after we clean her bottom. I tried to take a picture but I’m not sure how well it will show.

I’m feeding the chicks an organic chick starter. They are drinking something called Chick Boost Probiotics. It’s a blend of probiotics, vitamins, minerals and electrolytes for chicks. And she’s been drinking that down really well.

I’m not sure what I mean by antibiotic. I just read froma. Few different people that she may need an antibiotic. So I wasn’t sure either what that meant. Topical? Oral? No clue since I’m new to this.

I do have coconut oil. Like just the kind that you cook with?? I get a big container of it from Costco. Can I give that to her? Like Little chunks? And that helps with constipation?

Thanks for your help! Appreciate the feedback. She’s been like this since we got her so just not sure if she’s had something going on from the beginning. She’s about 2 weeks old I’m guessing.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

The brooder is warm but not too warm. The chicks are in a brooder inside our home. I don’t have a thermometer in there but they all look quite comfortable and content. All the other chicks are doing great. They are comfortable. Not huddled together like they are cold at all.

when she is standing you can see the backside of her just throbbing. It’s like she’s straining to go. She does typically go after we clean her bottom.

I do have coconut oil. Like just the kind that you cook with?? I get a big container of it from Costco. Can I give that to her? Like Little chunks? And that helps with constipation?

She’s been like this since we got her so just not sure if she’s had something going on from the beginning

If the chicks seem content with the heat, then I'm sure they are.
Her little vent sure is inflamed isn't it. Hard to tell if it's been picked at a bit as well.
I would continue to give her a soak, apply your vaseline, coconut oil, an anti-inflammatory cream, etc. (whatever you have - a lot of folks don't have much on hand and supplies are limited right now).

Yes! Coconut oil you cook with. I like the organic unfiltered or whatever it's called, tastes just like coconut, but my chickens love it. See if she will eat little pieces on her own, if not you could add a bit to her feed, but oil can help with constipation. If you are having a hard time with the oil, you can give her a few drops of Molasses, they also have a laxative affect on chickens. I would only give the molasses 1 time - you don't want to cause a lot of runny poop since chicks can become dehydrated quickly. 1 more thing would be giving a little applesauce. Just choose 1 thing of course, you have a few options - see which one helps.

If it's been like that since you got her, it may be harder to correct, just give her a bit of time and see how it goes.

 

[Daniellelyn]

Hi, I am a first time chick owner and just found this site because we are having a similar situation with one of our Bantams. When we first brought her home I noticed poop stuck to her rear and after I cleaned it loose stool just oozed out and it looked like a red lump sticking out. It was so bad I contacted Tractor Supply.

Anyhow, after researching a bit on my own I read to clean with warm water, rub with coconut oil and blow dry the rear before putting the chick back with the rest because they will peck at the red spot. I also use a small Q tip to help fluff her feathers. I noticed that after I am done blow drying her the protruding part seems to disappear.

I curious what other's experience is with this, I thought I was coo coo for washing their bums and blow drying everyday. I will also try and feed her a tiny bit of coconut oil as suggested above.

Here is a picture of the first day we got her. It looks very similar to your baby.

Thanks for starting this thread,
Danielle

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi, I am a first time chick owner and just found this site because we are having a similar situation with one of our Bantams. When we first brought her home I noticed poop stuck to her rear and after I cleaned it loose stool just oozed out and it looked like a red lump sticking out. It was so bad I contacted Tractor Supply.

Anyhow, after researching a bit on my own I read to clean with warm water, rub with coconut oil and blow dry the rear before putting the chick back with the rest because they will peck at the red spot. I also use a small Q tip to help fluff her feathers. I noticed that after I am done blow drying her the protruding part seems to disappear.

I curious what other's experience is with this, I thought I was coo coo for washing their bums and blow drying everyday. I will also try and feed her a tiny bit of coconut oil as suggested above.

Here is a picture of the first day we got her. It looks very similar to your baby.

Thanks for starting this thread,
Danielle

Welcome To BYC
Your chick may be constipated as well. If the prolapse is going back in after cleaning/blow drying that is good. She may need to be cleaned up several times a day.
Watch that she's drinking well and try a few things mentioned previously in the thread, keep us posted.

 

[Valcine]

Hello. I just joined BYC. We have three adult hens, but just got 4 baby chicks. One of them has had the “pasty butt” that we’ve been cleaning daily since we got her. But her vent looks like it’s protruding out. It’s pretty red and she wants to pick at it. She just can’t reach it. I’ve read that other chicks will peck at it and that we should separate them, but so far the other chicks haven’t really paid much attention to it. I’m mostly wondering if anyone else has dealt with this and what protocol they’ve taken. We are monitoring it closely and clean it 2-3 times a day. It does look as though she has a hard time going poop. After cleaning it, she is usually able to release quite a bit. But it requires us cleaning it and opening it up. I am doing a mixture of probiotics and electrolytes in their water. Just started today that I’m hoping will help?! I put vasoline on her vent. I read that can help from it closing up. Anything else?? I read about putting antibiotics on there, but how do you get antibiotics?? Would I actually need to go to a vet? Any advice or tips would be great! Thanks so much!

I too am a first time chicken parent and am coming to this site with the same issue only my chickies bum looks more inflamed than yours.
It had pasty bottom yesterday, which I cleaned. It looked a little swollen and red, but it was open. A couple of hours later, it was chirping like in pain and appeared to be straining to poop. I went and bought Preparation H, and am keeping it lubricated. It is separated from the other chicks by a wire basket but in the same brooder, so they can see each or the and it doesn’t feel lonely. It’s not eating on it’s own, but I am dipping it’s beak several times an hour to keep it hydrated. I will try the coconut oil. Did your baby chick make it? I’m really scared for mine.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I too am a first time chicken parent and am coming to this site with the same issue only my chickies bum looks more inflamed than yours.
It had pasty bottom yesterday, which I cleaned. It looked a little swollen and red, but it was open. A couple of hours later, it was chirping like in pain and appeared to be straining to poop. I went and bought Preparation H, and am keeping it lubricated. It is separated from the other chicks by a wire basket but in the same brooder, so they can see each or the and it doesn’t feel lonely. It’s not eating on it’s own, but I am dipping it’s beak several times an hour to keep it hydrated. I will try the coconut oil. Did your baby chick make it? I’m really scared for mine.

Welcome To BYC

Poor thing! I would also try soaking the vent in a warm epsom salts bath - make sure you dry the chick well and keep her warm too - use a hair dryer if you need to.

Getting her hydrated would be important. If you have Poultry Nutri-Drench I would give her 2-3 drops twice a day.
Offer her some wet soupy food too.

Her not eating on her own is a concern. Hopefully she'll improve.

 

[Valcine]

Thank you everyone for your advice and support. Unfortunately the little rooster, I think it was a rooster, passed away today. I have chosen a nice spot in the garden to lay him to rest. Thank you all for your help.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you everyone for your advice and support. Unfortunately the little rooster, I think it was a rooster, passed away today. I have chosen a nice spot in the garden to lay him to rest. Thank you all for your help.

I'm sorry about your chick