Can chicks eat too much food?

[Janilom81]

I agree the crop may be impacted if it feels hard. (Also, just so you know, the crop is on the right side of a,chicken, so when full you will Always notice the right side feels larger.)

It is normal for chicks to pick at shavings. But regular flake shavings, not fine, are best to ensure the chicks don't eat it. What size shavings are you using?

I did purchase the regular size shavings and not the fine. Thank you for the info on the crop being on the right side as that is where I see the largest part. I had my wife feel the crop that I am wondering about and she described it as more spongy than firm. Maybe I am worrying more than I should be. That chick just took a nice healthy poo just a minute ago as well.

I appreciate all the info. I have turned off all the lights and lowered the temp to hit 85 on the high end. I will check the crops and butts during the morning inspection and report back! Thank you everyone for the help.

 

[Huntmaster]

Thank you everyone for the help.

Thats what BYC is all about there are some very knowledgeable folks on here always more than willing to help. Hopefully everything will be fine GOOD LUCK with your chicks.

 

[Rurumo]

I will be using a brooder plate too and am curious about people adjusting its temperature in this thread. Do some of them have adjustable thermostats? I've always assumed the chicks adjust their own temperature by brushing up against the plate when cold, and moving to the room temp part of the brooder when they get too hot, and that you just raise the plate as the chicks grow.

 

[Janilom81]

No poopy butts this morning and crops are not looking like golf balls! Was the issue really being to hot on the plate and not enough darkness? Either way, I appreciate everyone's insight. Here is to no warm towel butt wiping and happy chicks this morning

 

[rosemarythyme]

I will be using a brooder plate too and am curious about people adjusting its temperature in this thread. Do some of them have adjustable thermostats? I've always assumed the chicks adjust their own temperature by brushing up against the plate when cold, and moving to the room temp part of the brooder when they get too hot, and that you just raise the plate as the chicks grow.

I use a heating pad, not a plate, but I would say in both cases neither has to be temperature adjusted (you can just raise them higher over time), however I do like to notch down the temperature every 5 days or so anyhow to more aggressively acclimate the chicks to outdoor temperatures.

No poopy butts this morning and crops are not looking like golf balls! Was the issue really being to hot on the plate and not enough darkness?

Heat can contribute to pasty butt but my guess is just having the extra darkness to stop them from feeding at night helped a lot, as that let their system flush through the feed that was in there overnight.

 

[Chicken mob]

This is my first time raising chicks. My question is, can they over eat? I am feeding them 20% starter feed and crushing it up a bit. I was leaving it in the brooder all day and night but the chicks crops seem to just stay full all day long. I leave water in the brooder all day and night as well. All 6 chicks are pooping and I have had to clean some poopy butts almost every day for at least one or two chicks.

Just wanted to add that 3 are Barred Rock about 2 weeks old, They eat all day it seems.
The other 3 are about 4 days younger and are Buff Orpingtons.

No, they need to eat all they can!

 

[NameIwish]

Let them eat as much as they want. But always do daily butt checks to prevent pasty butt.

"pasty butts" - I've a week old chick that is carrying about a clump o paste (if I understand the euphemism) and I am afraid to pull at it and would like to know how to safely remove it so as to clear the way for a refill, if you will.

Anyone know how I should proceed?

 

[NameIwish]

I will be using a brooder plate

Just a thought - I use old electric griddle's for heaters. They come with a temperature control dial - which I set rather low - but plug the griddle into a temperature controller that uses a remote sensor that affords more precise control.

Having said that, at the moment i'm using a light bulb that make be making it a bit too hot.

 

[rosemarythyme]

"pasty butts" - I've a week old chick that is carrying about a clump o paste (if I understand the euphemism) and I am afraid to pull at it and would like to know how to safely remove it so as to clear the way for a refill, if you will.

Anyone know how I should proceed?

Soak a cotton ball in warm water and hold it against the poop until it softens, wipe it away carefully, repeat.

 

[NameIwish]

Soak a cotton ball in warm water and hold it against the poop until it softens, wipe it away carefully, repeat.

Thank you, will try it.