Buff Orpington chicks

[Matt M]

How much is to much.

 

[Chicken Girl1]

Honestly I'm not sure becasue I've never used it. Here are some threads on the subject:
Will baking soda kill chickens? - Backyard Chickens


Will baking soda hurt my chickens? - Backyard Chickens


Is baking soda safe to sprinkle on the floor of the coop?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I think any is too much. It is sodium bi carbonate and is used to reduce acid (for 1 thing). I think it will cause an electrolyte imbalance. The chicks will scratch away the shavings in a heart beat. You could use a kitty litter scooper (not the litter) and take out the clumps you can see and add fresh shavings as needed. That is if changing the bedding altogether is out of the question. Chicken poop stinks. And it gets worse each day they age. Gets bigger anyways, requiring more frequent cleaning. They will only be inside for a short while. Chickens have sensitive respiratory systems. So if you can smell it, it's worse for them. Why can't chickens just clean up their own mess?! Dogs too (just kidding) .... I love 'em all. Poo is the worst part of it. Just an opinion, I don't know the actual scientific facts. But I would definitely find more facts, just in case. Yep, I hate poo.

 

[Matt M]

Okay thanks another question is can i put DE in there beading and food at 3 weeks. Thanks

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Iam knew to all this and was wondering when to start feeding my 8 BO tadle scraps.

If they're with their mommy, she'll cut up the meat to feed to her little ones. Otherwise you may have to preform this task.

 

[Matt M]

K. Thanks

 

[Matt M]

Can I give my 3 week old DE or put it on the floor. Thanks

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I'm not sure about DE. I have read it isn't good for the birds. But I know of people who swear by it. Standard dirt bath has always worked for my chickens. Also if you are doing DE ( I presume for parasite control) make sure it is food grade. As per table scraps.... it's fun to give the chicks treats, but.... the starter feed is scientifically formulated with all the nutrients and minerals the chicks need including the grit. They may not get that from table scraps. I would suggest not more than 10% of their daily diet so as to not inhibit healthy growth.

Quick side note regarding poo. I started doing fermented feed with my now 10 week olds, cant believe how easy it is. I don't think it has changed the smell much, but the consistency is much more solid, with only the occasional runny one. I guess the occasional one is like every 10th or 20th time. I think the food is much more digested. My other babies just turned 2 weeks today. It took them a couple days seeing something different before they got the courage to approach it. Once it was discovered though, it was a feast.

Matt, it's great that you are looking for all the things you can do to take care of your chicks. My 10 wk old barred rocks still have fuzzy booties. It's taking them forever to feather completely.

As always, I suggest getting a second opinion since I am not an expert. I try to make sure so I don't spread misinformation, but sometimes I don't get it right (notice I didn't say I was wrong!).

Make it a great day!

 

[Matt M]

Thanks.

 

[Matt M]

What do you people think adout coop N Compost with week old chiks.