Fermented Feed - stuck to fur

[obx4evr]

I have been a followed of Backyard Chickens for a number of years now as we have been researching and planning for chickens. We received our first chicks last week and are enjoy them immensely. We started with fermented feed from day 1. For the first couple of days, we had the food on a plate until they got used to it. After that we started putting it in one of those round 8 hole feeders.

When the food was on the plate, it appears to have gotten in their fur while they were eating and has now dried up on their little faces. I've looked into how to bathe them and found some very good information on this site, but most of it relates to washing the body and keeping their face mostly clear of the water. In our case, the body is fine, it's just the face and under the neck that needs to be cleaned. I've tried moistening the areas with a wet paper towel and gently wiping it off. It hasn't been overly effective and I don't want to rip out their fur. A few are starting to lose little patches of fur on their face as well .

I was hoping at first this was just the process of them losing their chick fur, but from what I've been reading on this site, they doesn't start for another few weeks. Has anyone else run into this when feeding fermented food? Are there any recommendations to safely and gently clean the dried food off. It looks so uncomfortable for them.

Thank you in advance for all the advice. Although this is my first time posting, I have received so much wonderful advice through this group that has helped me prepare for these wonderful chicks.

 

[blackdog043]

A moist towel is probably the best way.

I feed fermented from day one, I've always used a chick waterer and they have never gotten it on their face. It's the one hanging with the blue tape. I put the fermented around the base. I have the plastic bottle so i can hang it. The chick feeder with holes might make them stick their head in further to get the feed or turn their head to reach feed.

 

[BrandyBrightheart]

I have been a followed of Backyard Chickens for a number of years now as we have been researching and planning for chickens. We received our first chicks last week and are enjoy them immensely. We started with fermented feed from day 1. For the first couple of days, we had the food on a plate until they got used to it. After that we started putting it in one of those round 8 hole feeders.

When the food was on the plate, it appears to have gotten in their fur while they were eating and has now dried up on their little faces. I've looked into how to bathe them and found some very good information on this site, but most of it relates to washing the body and keeping their face mostly clear of the water. In our case, the body is fine, it's just the face and under the neck that needs to be cleaned. I've tried moistening the areas with a wet paper towel and gently wiping it off. It hasn't been overly effective and I don't want to rip out their fur. A few are starting to lose little patches of fur on their face as well .

I was hoping at first this was just the process of them losing their chick fur, but from what I've been reading on this site, they doesn't start for another few weeks. Has anyone else run into this when feeding fermented food? Are there any recommendations to safely and gently clean the dried food off. It looks so uncomfortable for them.

Thank you in advance for all the advice. Although this is my first time posting, I have received so much wonderful advice through this group that has helped me prepare for these wonderful chicks.

I’m dealing with this now with our first chicks. The two smallest ones mostly. Did you happen to find a solution?