Can my chicks have yogurt?....

[Dawna]

I had 5 SLW chicks last year. One had trouble with pasty butt, I just kept washing it off. She was smaller than the others for awhile, but is the same size as the others now. I've read that using petroleum jelly on their butt helps, so will try that this year. I'll be picking up 5 pullets and 1 rooster Buff Orpingtons next week.

 

[ChickyChooky]

Hi, ChickensAndRoosters!

Such cute chicks!

I'm fairly new to all this too, (just over three months, I think) but both my chicken breeder friends advised me to use finely chopped up garlic to keep the worms away. All my chickens love it! I like to hand-feed some pieces to them so I know that they've all had some each. I do it once a month. You can also put it in their water or mix it in with their feed. After handfeeding some to them, I throw some leftover pieces into their water as well. You know that they are all going to drink that! Lol!

Also, the recommended dose for chickens for Apple Cider Vinegar is 2 Tablespoons of ACV to 9 litres of water. A 9 litre bucket, of course! Since I found out how good it is for their guts, I've been giving it to my cats and dogs as well. It seems that it is highly recommended for various animals. They're not complaining! Lol!

Interesting that you ask about the yoghurt. My breeder friend, advised plain Greek yoghurt mixed with CousCous because it's really good for stimulating all those good bugs and bacteria in the stomach. You just soak the CousCous in equal amounts with really hot water, cover it, and wait five minutes before mixing it with the yoghurt. (Yeah! I know! We spell it differently here! Lol!) The CousCous helps them pick it up easier and is also good for them because of the protein in the wheat. My youngest chickens are 12 weeks old so they're not as young as yours and they love it too! But, the CousCous is so fine that I don't think your chicks would have problems with it. As the other member said, you can also mix it with crumbles.

Look at my White Crested Black Polish Pullets pictured! They all got it stuck on their beaks like humans with milk! So funny! Don't stand too close! They shake their heads to get rid of the pieces sticking there! Lol! Someitmes, scratch or wipe it off or, sweetest of all, pick it off each other's beaks!

Yep! One is a Frizzle! Their names are Frizzie and Cresta. (Duh! Lol!) Frizzie's 4 mths and Cresta's 3 mths and both have the sweetest temperaments and, even friendlier than my Silkies! And I haven't had them as long as the Silkies! I've been spending lots of time in the morning taming the older ones since they were 7 - 8 weeks old. Didn't really have to with these! As long as they hear my voice saying that I'm going stroke them, they don't even jump when I touch them and stroke them. Well, they can't see very well. That's why I had to clip Frizzie's crest. At first, she complained. Then, when she could see, suddenly, she quietened down as if to say, "Oooh! There's light. I can see! Do some more! Do some more!" Lol!

Cresta's one of the most intelligent for a chook. She's the only one who has worked out that I'm protecting her when one of the older hens tries to peck at her. She comes running straight towards my feet, even though I've just squarked and stamped my foot at the other hen! Usually, just pointing an ominous finger directly at the other hen puts her off. Lol! Yeah! Yeah! I know. They're only establishing they're pecking order. Well, I'm top hen! Lol!







Yep! I lo - o - ve my chooks!
Enjoy yours!
ChickyChooky

 

[ChickyChooky]

Hi, Dawna,

Yes. Petroleum jelly should work. Have you ever used Paw-Paw Ointment that they use for babies? Human ones, i.e. I just thought that it has really excellent healing properties and you could, probably, safely use that also. Marvellous stuff. But, I would Google it first as I really don't know for sure how it would affect chickens especially as they can ingest it whilst cleaning themselves. Anyone out there know?

Good Luck!

ChickyChooky

 

[yinepu]

ok now I am confused

I thought the chicks just needed starter but hearing all this about yogurt and such I am totally confused
this is the first time we're raising chicks. We've had them just shy of two weeks and they seem very happy and playful and no pasty butts.

we have 3 easter eggers and 3 barred rocks

Giving them just chick starter is fine.. heck.. people have been doing just that for years and years

Some people like to add in some good gut bacteria by giving them yogurt... but it isn't necessary.. and to be honest Kefir would be even better than yogurt if you really wanted to give them a jumpstart.