First Saturday Lime and baby chicks

[WendyinKY]

I sprinkled First Saturday Lime on my coop floor after reading it is NOT hydrated lime and is safe for all animals, children, etc. I got baby chicks and on day 3 several of them look like their little toenails have burned off - I have never had this happen in 50 years of raising chicks, and the lime is the only new thing I used. I do have a metal thermometer under the heat lamp - now I'm thinking they burned their feet on the hot metal - even though I covered it with a piece of fencing I thought would keep them off of it.... Thoughts?

 

[nuthatched]

Could it be the fencing ?
Can you get pictures, please?

 

[thecatumbrella]

I use First Saturday Lime. If you just sprinkled it over the top of the coop bedding, there's almost no chance it could have caused this. Now if they were standing in a pile of it, I suppose it could cause some skin irritation, but burns would shock me.

 

[Debbie292d]

It's not the FSL. The only thing that could do is possibly cause respiratory illness if you threw it in the air and they breathed it.

I'd say it's that fence you put over the thermometer. Just take that out. As long as they have a cool side so they can get away from the lamp, they'll be fine. When they start sleeping away from the lamp, you'll know it's too low.

 

[First Saturday Lime]

I sprinkled First Saturday Lime on my coop floor after reading it is NOT hydrated lime and is safe for all animals, children, etc. I got baby chicks and on day 3 several of them look like their little toenails have burned off - I have never had this happen in 50 years of raising chicks, and the lime is the only new thing I used. I do have a metal thermometer under the heat lamp - now I'm thinking they burned their feet on the hot metal - even though I covered it with a piece of fencing I thought would keep them off of it.... Thoughts?

Hi Wendy,

I’m really sorry to hear about what happened with your chicks. I completely understand how concerning that must be.

You can absolutely use First Saturday Lime in a brooder with baby chicks. It is not hydrated lime and is considered safe to use around animals when applied properly. Many people use it as a natural way to help keep the brooder clean and fresh.

When using it with chicks, we typically recommend sprinkling a thin layer on the floor of the brooder under the bedding and lightly around the edges. It helps control moisture, odors, and pests like mites and lice, which can help keep the chicks more comfortable and the environment healthier. Reapplying a small amount when you clean the brooder each week is usually enough.

I’m really sorry you experienced this issue. Since First Saturday Lime is gentle and not caustic like hydrated lime, it would be very unlikely to burn their feet

Please feel free to reach out if you have any other questions or if there’s anything else I can help with. I truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, and I’m wishing the best for you and your chicks

Thank you,
Yuli

 

[First Saturday Lime]

I sprinkled First Saturday Lime on my coop floor after reading it is NOT hydrated lime and is safe for all animals, children, etc. I got baby chicks and on day 3 several of them look like their little toenails have burned off - I have never had this happen in 50 years of raising chicks, and the lime is the only new thing I used. I do have a metal thermometer under the heat lamp - now I'm thinking they burned their feet on the hot metal - even though I covered it with a piece of fencing I thought would keep them off of it.... Thoughts?

Hi there,

I’m really sorry to hear about what happened with your chicks. I completely understand how concerning that must be, especially after so many years of raising them.

You can absolutely use First Saturday Lime in a brooder with baby chicks. It is not hydrated lime and is considered safe to use around animals when applied properly. Many people use it as a natural way to help keep the brooder clean and fresh.

When using it with chicks, we typically recommend sprinkling a thin layer on the floor of the brooder under the bedding and lightly around the edges. It helps control moisture, odors, and pests like mites and lice, which can help keep the chicks more comfortable and the environment healthier. Reapplying a small amount when you clean the brooder each week is usually enough.

I’m really sorry you experienced this issue. Since First Saturday Lime is gentle and not caustic like hydrated lime, it would be very unlikely to burn their feet

Please feel free to reach out if you have any other questions or if there’s anything else I can help with. I truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, and I’m wishing the best for you and your chicks

Thank you,
Yuli