This morning I noticed that one of the chicks' behind was filthy. We cleaned her off with lukewarm water and she looked better. After we put her back with the momma, we watched her for a little while. She seemed distracted from the other babies and every once in a while she looked like she was straining to poop. Nothing is coming out of bottom. Is there anything we can do for her?
Baby chicken seems to be bound up.
Hmmm........I had a chick who had pastybutt, which is when the poop gets caught on the vent and seals it closed. I warm bath really helped. It certainly won't hurt this chick. I would say to get a small container and fill it so it will cover over the vent, then dunk the chick in ( not over her head, obviously ) and leave her setting there for a while. Mine all relax and seem to love it. Maybe the combo of the warmth for relaaxation and loosening up the crud will help. Keep us updated
She is doing much better this am. She's is out scratching with her siblings. We did duck her little fanny, she wasn't happy about it. Thanks for your help.
Pasty butt is caused by insufficient heat surrounding a day old type chick. Day old chicks are supposed to have a brooding box temp of 95f degrees under a lamp for a week. You can drop the temp 1 degree a day ....... doing so incrementally is difficult so it usually is better and much easier to keep the temperature in the mid to low 90's till they are fully feathered out. I have pulled the crap off with the pin feathers (and the feathers out). The poo doesn't have anything to stick to with the feathers gone. The tiny feathers around their vent are like strings on a mop. They'll grow back as they get older. Keep plenty of fresh water within reach of day old chicks. Your chicks will not experience this problem when raised by a brooding mother hen because she will keep the chicks perfectly warm. 4 of our 5 American Game Fowl hens have raised 38 chicks (so far) successfully this spring/summer. We've had one chick as a casualty due to a mink ...... but we got the mink. Hen #5 just disappeared 2 days ago ..... we believe to a nest she has hidden too far off to locate. So in another 26 days we're anticipating another brood of about 7-10 chicks running around the property with their mother. That would make 45-48 chicks raised in one season by 5 hens. I'm totally impressed with this breed of chicken. Kelly