Chicks eating wood chips

[Chickenman623]

Well, I mixed up a mash of yogurt, feed and warm water as recommended. They'll gladly walk in it but won't eat it. They are far too busy scratching in the wood chips and I swear it looks as if that's what they are eating.............the finest portions of the wood chips. Here's a picture of them congregated, scratching and eating chips like crazy. I think if I ate wood chips I'd get pasty butt too!!!!!

 

[mossyoakpro]

I started the other day just putting an old pie pan down in the brooder(must have sides) with their feed in it and they love scratching and bathing in it!! I discovered this by accident after the lid came off the feeder when I was trying to get it out to clean....they all piled in there and was having a ball so I started just putting them some down in there a couple times a day in the pan. It keeps them occupied for a while doing their scratching and carrying on.

 

[Chickenman623]

As you can see from the picture, I've got the floor of the box covered in wood chips. I used the same chips when I raised the 24 hens back in 2009. Don't remember them refusing food over chips. Wondering if I should get rid of the chips and put down towels. I know chickens "live" to dig, so not sure if I want to deprive them of that pleasure. Any thoughts anyone?

 

[Jasfarm]

As you can see from the picture, I've got the floor of the box covered in wood chips. I used the same chips when I raised the 24 hens back in 2009. Don't remember them refusing food over chips. Wondering if I should get rid of the chips and put down towels. I know chickens "live" to dig, so not sure if I want to deprive them of that pleasure. Any thoughts anyone?

Mine do this too. They are little weirdos. They have two little trays for food. One is mash and one is the plain crumbles. Maybe you could try tempting them but sprinkling maybe a few meal worms on top? I would hope that would be more appealing to them over wood chips!

 

[SamLockwood]

I went with paper towels over the wood chips on the floor of the brooder the first couple weeks because of the possibility of them eating the wood chips. The towels are easier to swap out when the brooder gets too messy (and with 30 birds it gets messy very quickly!).

Chicks are incredibly stupid about what they'll try to eat the first few weeks they're alive. Even when they're older they're worse than human toddlers for the the things they'll stuff in their beaks: When I first moved my youngsters to the coop one of them found a screw from the coop construction and was running all over the place with it in her beak chirping her head off like she just found the Holy Grail. She dropped it after few minutes of chasing, I think only because she figured out it was too large for her to swallow whole.

 

[Chickenman623]

Okay, as mentioned previously, we had a Bielfelder not survive the journey to us. The other one was the runt of the group. She has been failing to thrive since day one. This is day 4 and she won't eat or drink and stands but falls on her forhead and just stands there. I don't think she'll make the night. Hate to lose her..........or any of them for that matter. The other six are happy, healthy and fiskie as all get out. I mentioned to Murray McMurray that I'd lost one in route and they gave me a credit. Wasn't concerned about the money but wanted them to know in case they might have a problem. Now that the second Bielfelder most likely isn't going to make it I wonder if I should follow up with them a let them know about that also.............not for a credit but as information for them. ?????

I made up the yogurt mash and still can't get any of them to even touch it, so I gave up offering. Guess I've a bucket of yogurt to eat myself. (gonna have to sweeten it though....yuck!) Covered up all of the wood chips with an old bath towel and they immediately went to the chicken feed as if it was Mealworms. (which I don't have) So I think that was a good move...........thanks for the tip.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I personally have found that very young chicks won't eat wet/fermented feed (others will tell you they have no problem, but mine so far have refused it) so I only offer dry crumble the first week or two.

Not sure what the yogurt is for, chickens can't really digest dairy. Did you try a wet feed without yogurt?

I do offer grit immediately because yes they will eat dirt and bedding and anything else they can get their mouths on. It's not a problem as long as they don't eat excessive amounts of bedding.

 

[Chickenman623]

They all seem to love the chicken feed..........dry. The failing little Bielfelder is a whole lot more active this morning but her entire butt was smeared with feces. Got her cleaned up. She's pecking at her rear end so much the feathers are gone on one side......and the others peck at her butt also. And she keeps pecking so violently she falls over and rolls around. She walks/stands around with her wings extending from her sides while the others lay there with wings against their body. I really feel bad for her.............she's miserable. Her little pooper is "pulsing" all the time...........like she's constipated or something.

RAW BUTT

How she spreads her wings all the time.

 

[Maxine9929]

Mine do this too. They are little weirdos. They have two little trays for food. One is mash and one is the plain crumbles. Maybe you could try tempting them but sprinkling maybe a few meal worms on top? I would hope that would be more appealing to them over wood chips!

I have 4 day old chick's in broader.
I just put pine chips Iin today.

I went outside to garden for 3 or 4 hours and ame in and they were eating them.

One died , another is dying. Can't stand up and at least half not looking good.

I didn't know
My last batch didn't do this. Can I do anything to save the reat?

 

[CharlieBaby]

I have 4 day old chick's in broader.
I just put pine chips Iin today.

I went outside to garden for 3 or 4 hours and ame in and they were eating them.

One died , another is dying. Can't stand up and at least half not looking good.

I didn't know
My last batch didn't do this. Can I do anything to save the reat?

I’m so sorry. Use an old bath towel for now and pick up some puppy pads next time you’re at the store.

I’ve never heard of young chicks dying from eating pine chips. Is the wood treated with chemicals? You sure the brooder is the right temperature — warm enough with cool areas to retreat to? Are you using a Teflon coated bulb?

NutriDrench can help struggling chicks. Best to carefully give one drop in beak in an emergency, otherwise add it to clean water.

If it’s important to you to know the cause of death, you could send the chick(s) for necropsy. Lots of states and ag colleges have labs. My vet recommended this lab (I’m in WA); it has instructions for caring for the body. Essentially, wash with soapy water and refrigerate before shipping.

I had a chick die a few weeks ago for what seemed like no reason. It was heartbreaking. Some chicks pull through seemingly dire circumstances, and some just don’t make it. Whatever happens, you’ve done your best and given the chicks love during their time here, and they’ve brightened your life too.