Baby Chicks with Gunky Feet

[KWestVA]

Each of my baby chicks has one fuzzy foot that ends up picking up gunk that gets dried onto the fuzz. Is it safe to wash their feet, or is this a self-grooming task that they need to learn?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You can gently clean it. It helps to keep the bedding dry, but not always.

 

[KWestVA]

Thanks! My current brooder is really too small, so the bedding gets soiled pretty quickly - plus they've now reached its vertical limit. I'll be moving them into much larger digs in the next couple of days, so I hope that helps.

Another question: will chickens limit their business to a specific area, or will it always be everywhere all the time??

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thanks! My current brooder is really too small, so the bedding gets soiled pretty quickly - plus they've now reached its vertical limit. I'll be moving them into much larger digs in the next couple of days, so I hope that helps.

Another question: will chickens limit their business to a specific area, or will it always be everywhere all the time??

Chickens poop and move like most foraging critters do. In nature they wouldn't stay in the same area all day. When we keep them confined they will end up walking through their own droppings, and will poop everywhere. The only place you can consistently count on for them to poop in one place is under the roosts at night.

 

[KWestVA]

Chickens poop and move like most foraging critters do. In nature they wouldn't stay in the same area all day. When we keep them confined they will end up walking through their own droppings, and will poop everywhere. The only place you can consistently count on for them to poop in one place is under the roosts at night.

Got it - thanks!

 

[KWestVA]

So the fuzz on my (assumed) male chicks' feet has been replaced by actual feathers whose length has me questioning their purpose. They look like clown shoes! Should these be trimmed for sanitary reasons?

 

[rosemarythyme]

No need to trim. If their brooder/run stays fairly dry and fairly clean feather footed birds really don't need any extra managing most of the time.

 

[KWestVA]

No need to trim. If their brooder/run stays fairly dry and fairly clean feather footed birds really don't need any extra managing most of the time.

Thanks!