Hello. I just switched my 3 weeks old chicks from medicated starter to organic starter- grower. For the first two days, I mixed them together. This morning, before putting down clean food and water, I noticed medium to dark brown liquid poop in the brooder. They have new roosts and I use puppy pads on the brooder floor, so I can see solid poop from yesterday and diarrhea from last night/today.
I have been alternating probiotics/electrolytes and ACV in their water, and plain water every third day.
Anything else I should be doing or looking for?
I should mention that they have stopped sleeping under the heater in the last 3 days and instead were piling in another corner. I checked on them during the night and they were in the same area but more spread out and asleep. I thought they were too hot but afraid of being in semi-darkness, so I plugged in a Christmas candle near the brooder. The plate brooder heater was raised as high as it goes when they stopped using it, so I now have it propped on egg cartons - but they rarely go under it except walking under it here and there during the day. (So I don't think they are afraid of it). The room has been 72 but they still stayed away from the heater. I now have the room heat at 69 and they are running around playing and flying (Brooder is 4'x6' and 3' tall). So they don't seem ill and are very active and nap away from the heater.
Could this just be diarrhea from the food change or are they overheated?
Thanks in advance.
I have been alternating probiotics/electrolytes and ACV in their water, and plain water every third day.
Anything else I should be doing or looking for?
I should mention that they have stopped sleeping under the heater in the last 3 days and instead were piling in another corner. I checked on them during the night and they were in the same area but more spread out and asleep. I thought they were too hot but afraid of being in semi-darkness, so I plugged in a Christmas candle near the brooder. The plate brooder heater was raised as high as it goes when they stopped using it, so I now have it propped on egg cartons - but they rarely go under it except walking under it here and there during the day. (So I don't think they are afraid of it). The room has been 72 but they still stayed away from the heater. I now have the room heat at 69 and they are running around playing and flying (Brooder is 4'x6' and 3' tall). So they don't seem ill and are very active and nap away from the heater.
Could this just be diarrhea from the food change or are they overheated?
Thanks in advance.
