FINCHforum

We took my sickly Zebra out of his cage today to do some more beak trimming on him. While I was holding him I noticed he has a soiled vent, which he's never had before. I also have a Shaft-tail who has seemed to always have had a soiled vent since I got her. None of my other birds have an issue. I give them bath water and it doesn't come off.

Should I just hand clean them with a q-tip or cotton ball, or is this some sort of medical problem?

The only times that I ran into this situation is with new fledglings and the parents (usually mom). They are sometimes sitting in wet/damp poop, and that sticks to their butt.

If it looks bad, I have cleaned it off w a Q-tip and warm water. Warm water so you don't give the bird a chill.
Slowly rub the poop, to dissolve it slowly, layer by layer.