Help! I'm new to this chicken stuff, and need advise for a brand new Orpington chick. I picked up 15 chicks from the feed store yesterday, and one has this hiney that is just really nasty. It looks like he is producing normal droppings, and is very active and eating well with the other chicks. This one seems to be on the small side, but active. What is this with the rear end looking so dirty and like diarrhea smeared on it? Do I need to destroy this little guy before he infects anyone else?

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Thank you.
Ripps

I am not an expert, but the chick might just need to be cleaned. After all, some babies are just messier than others!! Just take a warm, wet paper towel and wipe off his rear. Hope this is helpful!

Thanks for the assurance. I separated this chic from the rest as they were beginning to pick at his hind end. He is still a runt, but I washed his rear end off with the spray jet at the sink last night. He seems to be doing better with the rear end problem. :) Just wished he would grow some more. He has become very affectionate since he is in the box alone.

You're welcome. By the way, it's a good thing you separated the chick from the rest when they started picking at him. If they had drawn blood they could have killed him. Sometimes, out of curiosity, chickens will pick at an individual until the unlucky bird is seriously wounded or dead. However, you might have some trouble reintroducing him to the flock. I'm not sure whether or not it will matter at this age.
On a lighter note, you have a chance to let him catch up to the rest. Bigger chicks will get to the food first, so being a runt might have kept him from getting all of the food he needs. If he can eat without getting bullied he might grow faster.