Chick question

[2ACR]

This is my first post in the forum. I have been reading a lot and learning a lot.

I bought 15 SS chicks from Ideal. They arrived a week ago and today I noticed that a few of the chicks had a little poo on their bums. I looked up pictures of pasty bums and that isn't what I see. I kinda just looks like they didn't push it all the way out. Everything else looks normal. Looks normal to me at least. I will take a closer look at them and try to post a picture.

Thanks

 

[prizma]

I think just make sure that their bum isn't stopped up. Just gently take a warm wet papertowel and rub their bum until you are sure their vent is clear. I had to do this with some of mine when I got them a few weeks ago.

 

[tadpole98]

Pictures would help

 

[mnferalkitty]

its pasty butt, you need to clean it off. just gently remove with warm wet wash cloth and dry well

 

[tadpole98]

Yes, and don't forget to put some olive oil on afterward, to keep the poop from sticking next time

 

[ButchGood]

Definitely The pasty butt. If its hard get a small bowl of warm water and soak their little butts a little while. I use a wet Q-tip to work it lose. Be very gentle and be patient. Sometimes it takes a while. dry them some with a cotton ball. Feed no treats, feed chick starter only and lower your heat a little. Sometimes hot conditions can cause this. Lower your temp. until they crowd up under the light. then raise the temps a little at a time until the start milling around again. Don't bother using the recommended temperatures. 95 then minus 5 each week until 6 weeks is way to warm and way to long. Just watch your chicks. if they are milling around, scratching and acting like little miniature chickens they are comfortable. When they sleep they will get in a little chick pile and stay nice and cozy. If you hear loud constant peeping they are in distress. that's when they need something. Could be heat, could be food or water. Just watch and listen.

 

[2ACR]

Thanks for all the replies. I forgot to take pictures before I washed them. I will if I notice it again.

Wish I would have known not to give treats first though. Today was the first day to get treats. It was only a meal worm a piece.

Everyone seems fine. No bloated butts and the skin color is consistent with every other skin tone under the feathers. It surely didnt look as bad as the pictures I found online.

I added some grit to the brooder and will lower the temp some.

I'm just a little paranoid. Seems like everyone starts having deaths a week three. Like most, I'm just trying to limit the death count as much as possible by catching any problems before they take hold.

 

[ButchGood]

At week 3 I would get them outside. They need to have grass and dirt under their feat. The weather is warm enough this time of year not to really worry about a heat lamp. With 15 chicks, they will stay plenty warm. If you get a chance, the next time they are in a chick pile, stick your finger under the pile without disturbing them. Its Hot.

 

[Roxannemc]

Thanks for all the replies. I forgot to take pictures before I washed them. I will if I notice it again.
Wish I would have known not to give treats first though. Today was the first day to get treats. It was only a meal worm a piece.
Everyone seems fine. No bloated butts and the skin color is consistent with every other skin tone under the feathers. It surely didnt look as bad as the pictures I found online.
I added some grit to the brooder and will lower the temp some.
I'm just a little paranoid. Seems like everyone starts having deaths a week three. Like most, I'm just trying to limit the death count as much as possible by catching any problems before they take hold.

I am pretty new myself on BYC but read a lot on here every day...i dont think you are supposed to give them grit until they are older.They choke very easily i have heard from ppl who have raised chickens a long time and grit could be too big if they are like a day or week old..
If they are very young i think i would just keep them on crumbles for a few weeks .You wouldnt give human babies candy or carrots at a week or month old so i think new chicks are probably the same... tender new tummies

 

[mnferalkitty]

I am pretty new myself on BYC but read a lot on here every day...i dont think you are supposed to give them grit until they are older.They choke very easily i have heard from ppl who have raised chickens a long time and grit could be too big if they are like a day or week old..
If they are very young i think i would just keep them on crumbles for a few weeks .You wouldnt give human babies candy or carrots at a week or month old so i think new chicks are probably the same... tender new tummies

If they are getting treats or eating grasses, seeds etc. they have to have grit that is how they grind up thier food in their gizzard the grit acts as teeth, if they don't have grit then there could be problems. You can buy chick grit or even use parakeet grit these grits are made small for chicks.