Falling behind in our hygiene...

[andythescot]

I have six chicks in a pretty large brooder tucked away in the corner of my bathroom. There are two Buff Orpingtons (four weeks), two Rhode Island Reds (two weeks), and two Easter Egges (two weeks). One of the Easter Eggers, Noreen, has poop stuck on a corner of one of her wings, and a few specks of it underneath her wing. It doesn't seem to be bothering her, but it bothers me. I clean the brooder regularly, about twice a week, and I take them outside whenever I can. But for whatever reason, she isn't preening!! And I tried to clean it off, but not only does it smell after I try to clean it, but it also it won't come off!! What do I do?!

BTW, I'm not moving the BO's outside yet because the coop still isn't finished.. and because they are all friends and I want to move them out together.

THANKS

 

[Andy J]

That chick will be just fine.She doesn't know she has dung on her wing and could care less.Chickens are some of the filthiest animals on the planet.

If they stay in your bathroom much longer,you'll be cleaning much more than your chickens.Everything in there will be covered with dust.I brooded some in my storage room for 2 weeks;won't do that again.Contrary to what a lot of people on this forum believe,chickens belong outside.

 

[teach1rusl]

If it bothers you, then bathe her. I STILL can't stand it if one of my girls gets enough poop stuck on her butt fuzz for me to notice, and mine are about 8 months old!! I'll tell DH that "it's time for a butt wash." Run a few inches of warm water (think for a real baby-warm...not hot) in your sink, enough where the chick can stand up in the water with you gently/firmly holding it. After the initial protest, mine actually become quite calm and seem to enjoy the warm water/bath. Stuck poop has to soak...a wet rag generally won't do. I just use mild dishwashing soap and work into the dried poop area. For a chick anytime, and for older birds in cool weather, I would always blot dry with a towel and then blow dry afterward.

 

[andythescot]

Quote:
Erm... these are just chicks... so they still need to be kept inside so they don't freeze their tail feathers off. And my bathroom is well ventilated and pretty dust-free. They have been in there for about a month.. I did my homework before getting chickens.

And as to you teach1rusl, thanks SO much! I did it and everything is better now!

Thanks

 

[WoodlandWoman]

If your brooder is a little too crowded and getting a little too poopy between cleanings, you could sprinkle a light layer of clean shavings on top, between cleanings. That would help keep it a little cleaner for them. I like to do that, even in an uncrowded brooder. It's tough when they're sleeping on the floor of the brooder, instead of roosting. You could also try giving them a small roost, if you want to and have the room.