What Is Pasty-Butt in Chickens?

Chicks raised in a brooder without a mother hen are much more likely to develop pasty butt than chicks who are raised by their own mother. Mother hens are adept at keeping their chicks healthy, well-fed, and comfortable. Without a mother hen, chicks must take care of themselves. If a brooder is not warm enough, a chick is more likely to develop pasty butt due to poor temperature regulation. However, the most common cause of pasty butt is poor quality chicken feed. If you notice pasty butt in your chicks, try purchasing a higher quality feed as a quick remedy .

Pasty butt is most common in young chicks who have been separated from their mother. When fecal buildup occurs, a mother hen will simply clean the irritated vent area herself. It is important to check the vent area of your chicks daily, especially if your chicks do not have a mother hen present. Baby chicks are not able to clean the area themselves and this problem can quickly escalate and cause constipation or even death.

If your chicks do not have a mother hen, it is your responsibility to clean the vent area of an inflicted chick. The pasty butt condition can easily be remedied with warm water and paper towels. Simply wet a small piece of towel with warm water and compress this to the chick's vent. The heat and dampness should be enough to loosen the fecal build-up. It is important to be gentle when removing the buildup, as this can hurt the chicken's feathers and vent area.

Chickens are rarely afflicted with pasty butt after two or three weeks of age. During their first few weeks, be vigilant about checking the vent area for any buildup. You may notice that only a few of your chicks are affected, and these same chicks will present with pasty butt again after a cleaning. This condition typically goes away on its own once the chickens are close to one month in age.