Hi. I’m super new to the site and even more to chickens. We just got our first four this past weekend, so they should all now be around 1.5 weeks (I think).
We have a brooder set up and they all seem to be doing well, but a couple days ago one had some dried poop around her vent (idk if it was pasty butt, when I googled it that seemed more intense?), but now today a different one has the same thing. Should I be giving them more grit maybe? Or mixing in more probiotics? (Any tips on keeping their water shaving free for more than two minutes too? They’ll still drink even w/all that junk in there right?!)
We have one buff orphington, one pearl white leghorn, one Rhode Island Red and one black australorp. For now...
My husband thinks I’m over reacting and over analyzing everything, but I want them to be happy and healthy and they are my new babies. Glad I found a place where I can ask questions and stress with other chicken folks.
Congratulations and welcome!
I love my chickens and I hope you enjoy yours too.
To keep shavings out of their water, you need to put their water container on something sturdy that is at about the same height as the chicks back.
Like a brick, block of wood, overturned rubber container, etc.
Something it won’t slide around on.
And you’ll need to raise it higher as they grow or it’ll start happening again lol.
Also I highly recommend getting a book about raising backyard chickens for reference and learning the basics.
It’s SO helpful!
Pasty butt can be annoying but it should taper off and stop happening after the first week to 10 days.
Sometimes it’s because the brooder is too hot or cold for them.
The heat should start off at 95 degrees for day old chicks and then you lower the temp by 5 degrees each week until they’re feathered out or the ambient temp is 70 degrees.
They don’t need grit unless you’re feeding treats but it won’t hurt them and some feel it helps their digestive system to start functioning correctly.
If you do give grit be sure it’s
chick sized grit until older.
After spending the whole day outside watching my chickens I found our feather picking pre cannabilistic birds. Our little Bonsai wasn’t able to eat feed anymore, not even the deep liquid measuring cups filled with fermented feed were enough. With a need to fill her crop she started feather picking as it was the only way she could eat. My poor girl was suffering and her hatch mates were forced to suffer with her. She taught Wally how to feather pick so he’s in the garage until my Welsummer is fully healed. This week has been a tough one on me and my birds.
