Dirty chicks?

[kercel]

My first post about my first chicks.

I have wanted to raise chickens for the past few years but have never formally got the approval from my better half to begin the adventure. About a month ago my mother who works in an elementary school called to ask if I would want some baby chicks that a school class had raised as a school project. Sure! They arrived a few days ago and are now 2 weeks old. Coop construction has begun as well as buying/building the feeders and waterers. Currently the chicks are in a cage in our living room. The kids have fallen in love with them and truth me told so has my wife. Anyway on to the question. We are using newspaper to line their pen. We change it 4 times a day. But, I notice the chicks have a fairly dirty underside. It's like crusted poop and feed on their underside, Is this normal? Can I clean them? Should I be switching them to pine shavings?

Thanks.

 

[GardenGal]

Sounds like pasty butt, and you definitely need to clean that pronto. Warm water and a cloth should do it. Yogurt is a great treat for chicks, and will help prevent pasty butt. Good luck!

 

[chickmashnoon]

At two weeks old, I think it's time for pine shavings. It will be more absorbant than the newspaper and keeps their little feet and bellies cleaner. Switch them to pine shavings and as you place them from one container to the other, wash each one's belly and butt with warm water so they have a fresh clean start. The fact that you said they had dried food stuck on them makes me think they were laying in their poo. After they have been cleaned up- you can also keep an eye out for pastey butt, which can also happen to chicks, but then the poo stays on their behind (rather than belly) and dries there, sometimes blocking their ability to defecate. But i hope u just have chicks trying to nap on their own turds and scattered feed.


if only we could teach them all to just go in one spot . . .

 

[kercel]

It looks like its from them sitting in their mess. Although we try and keep their cage clean these things poop alot. I'll try warm water and a cloth and try to clean them up.

 

[chickmashnoon]

I remember seeing an awesome signature/tagline on someone's profile that said something like

God created the chicken and said "Go forth and poop"

Food in=feces out

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Newspaper is just plain dirty and non adsorbant be generous with the chips and they'll be fine.

 

[madi99]

Definitely switch to pine shavings or even paper towels but at two weeks old shavings are your best option

 

[OurLittlebitRanch]

Pine shavings work great but if you can try straw. The pine shavings have a little bit of dust that you will notice starting to stick to everything, especially if you have them in your house! We use straw for bedding for all of our chickens from day old babies all the way up to the nesting boxes for our hens.

I just got some pullets in the mail today and they are now including a notice (pictures)............ I am not sure if you are aware of the fact that they do cary "harmful microorganisms", many people are not, and since you mentioned them living inside of your home and with children I just wanted to share this info with you. My niece (3 years old) helps to take care of all of our animals, she is always sitting on the ground with them, petting them etc. we always had farm animals and we never got sick, just make sure that your kiddos are washing their hands after!!!

 

[coolcanoechic]

I also like to use a chopped straw or hay. It seems to stay drier than shavings and smells better. Tractor supply carries it in my neck of the woods, but there are others out there who make it too. I love it for the brooder, and the garden. It also seems to break down quickly in the mulch pile.

Put it in thickly and turn it over once a day.

This is a bag I got at a local hardware store. There are other brands than this. Just look around. Every area has different suppliers.