Chicken boarders

[TAJ]

A couple of chicks I had as day old about a year ago had constant poo on their bottoms which I had to clean off with warm water and cotton wool for 2-3 weeks.

 

Now two of the SL dottes (4 days old) are the same - I have soaked it all off their delicate little vents - but what now? I was wondering whether if it continues something like vaseline around the vent might stop the poo sticking? The issue is if the dried poo is left it just builds up and will eventually block the vent completely, but I am not sure just to carry on doing the removal or whether something like vaseline might prevent it.

 

Tracy

[The Dogmother]

You will need to clean it off Tracy so that their skin doesn't get sore.

 

It really ought to right itself in a couple of days though as their tums get used to processing food - have you tried them with a wee bit of Bokashi Bran and some Avipro?

 

There is a school of thought that it is linked to the chick not drinking enough water; can't say that I have noticed this myself, but best to check that the wee ones are drinking enough.

[TAJ]

You will need to clean it off Tracy so that their skin doesn't get sore.

 

It really ought to right itself in a couple of days though as their tums get used to processing food - have you tried them with a wee bit of Bokashi Bran and some Avipro?

 

There is a school of thought that it is linked to the chick not drinking enough water; can't say that I have noticed this myself, but best to check that the wee ones are drinking enough.

 

Thanks Claret - yes I am cleaning off no problems, it was more if vaseline might prevent the build up I was wonderng about. The SL dottes were last to be be seen drinking (and eating) - it was Sunday (48hrs old) before I actually saw the last one drinking so that could well be part of it - one of these two is the one that took over a day to learn how to walk and can still now do a very good reverse walk, though no longer ends up on its back unable to move when somebody knocks it over.

 

I will monitor for a couple of days and see if they improve.

 

Tracy

[Raina]

Hi,

 

I had the same problem with my Serama chick,

 

My grandad was gently pulling the poo of her bum and a bit of fluff came off with it,not alot! so he soaked it in warm water and the rest came off pretty easy!

 

We added some baby oil to her bum (Grandad's idea) and didn't have much problem after that! I'm guessing Vaseline is pretty much the same?

[The Dogmother]

Sorry, missed that bit; yes, I think that either Vaseline or Sudocrem would help with that.

 

Some 'old hands' swear by giving them only water for 12 hours to stop pasted vent, although I'm not sure that this would be good for young chicks unless the water contained something like Avipro or a drop of a good poultry tonic, as they will need all the nutrients they can get.

[TAJ]

Sorry, missed that bit; yes, I think that either Vaseline or Sudocrem would help with that.

 

Some 'old hands' swear by giving them only water for 12 hours to stop pasted vent, although I'm not sure that this would be good for young chicks unless the water contained something like Avipro or a drop of a good poultry tonic, as they will need all the nutrients they can get.

 

I had read this too - the trouble is when you have 6 different types of chicks and they hatch almost 24 hrs apart one chick's 12 hrs is anothers 36hrs - ironically with these they are a couple of the later ones as well.

 

Rania - I have always soaked the poo off as they are so small and delicate I felt pulling it off was not wise - however looking at the advice online a number of people recommend pulling it off dry and even say if some fluff comes off that is good as it stops the poo having something to stick to in future! I can see someone doing this and damaging the vent.

 

Thanks,

 

Tracy

[The Dogmother]

You're wise to soak the poo off Tracy - I heard a nasty tale (or should that be 'tail'?) about half of a chick's rear end being scalped when someone was trying to pull off dried poo.... what on earth were they thinking???!!

[Madchook]

That is gross Claret, poor little chicky

[Redwing]

There is another school of thought that its caused by the chick drinking cold water so I now fill a measuring jug and let that warm to room temp and fill the drinkers from that, I havent had one chick with pasted vent since about my third hatch so it works for me

[TAJ]

There is another school of thought that its caused by the chick drinking cold water so I now fill a measuring jug and let that warm to room temp and fill the drinkers from that, I havent had one chick with pasted vent since about my third hatch so it works for me

 

I always use room temperature water with the chicks - they have now been clean for 24hrs so I am hoping it was them not drinking initially that was to blame.

 

Tracy

[The Dogmother]

Glad to hear that they are improving Tracy

[grracee]

when i hatched my chicks i had the same problem with two of the chicks with alot of poo stuck to them, i just soaked it gently in warm water and it soon comes off. i also heard about not giving them cold water so when i hatch next i'll try the room temp water and see if it makes a difference