What can I do about Pasty Butts on my Chick’s?

This often occurs due to becoming chilled in their early lives. Too much electrolyte in their water or becoming dehydrated can be causes of happening as well.

It is important to remove the paste daily with some warm water. If your chicks do not recover within a few days, reassess your environment: it may still be too cold.

You can consult your veterinarian as to whether to administer an antibiotic in their water to prevent an opportunistic bacterial infection. If you are growing your birds organically, your temperature control is even more critical.

This condition is an accumulation of poop related to the vent (their butt) of the Chick. If you notice this, it needs to be cleaned up and dealt with. It’s a sensitive and fragile area which needs to be done cautiously. A cotton swab moistened in warm water can be used to loosen up dried fecal matter that has to be removed.

You can give your chicks probiotics to help populate their digestive systems with beneficial bacteria.

Plain yogurt can aid in getting their systems in order. If they don’t want to eat the yogurt, sprinkle a bit of feed on top to encourage them to start pecking at it. Much like dipping their beaks in water, get a few to start and the rest will follow.

2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to 1 quart of drinking water to treat the digestive issues that can cause pasty butt. This also can be a preventative measure to stop this problem from starting in the first place.