First time chicken mom freaking a tad. (and pics!)

[Spazzyyarn]

So we just got our first baby chicks today and so far so good, I think. lol

I do have a few questions though, a few of them peek at the others. One had a hold of the others leg while the other screamed. There are no wounds, only six in the brooder and I have a red light, so is this normal?

Ok, really stupid question but do chicks pee? It's either peeing or has the runniest poop I've ever seen. It's like straight water. Oh and pasty butt? Would I be able to tell? I've look at it's bottom but don't know what I'm looking for.

Maybe I Just need to calm down. It's a bit nerve wracking.

 

[Revelle]

Birds pee when they poop. If you really want to see what poop is supposed to look like for chickens, follow the link:

http://www.chat.allotment.org.uk/index.php?topic=17568.0

LOTS of poo pictures.

If you can't see the vent, only poo, chirper has pasty butt.

Clean with warm water and a Q-Tip/Paper towel.

I have no idea about the chick trying to eat the other ones leg though. o.o

 

[Tiramisu]

I do have a few questions though, a few of them peek at the others. One had a hold of the others leg while the other screamed. There are no wounds, only six in the brooder and I have a red light, so is this normal? Pecking may occur as chicks, I never had pecking problems so not so sure on this.

Ok, really stupid question but do chicks pee? It's either peeing or has the runniest poop I've ever seen. They can have runny poo, was it really dark? If its continuously it may be stressed or something.
Oh and pasty butt? Would I be able to tell? I've look at it's bottom but don't know what I'm looking for. You can tell if they have pasty butt. You will see the poo on the feathers and it blocking the vent some.

 

[mayberrygirl]

Um, wow at the pics

 

[teach1rusl]

Hmmm...yes, you can expect SOME pecking at one another. But if it's a lot, there could be issues, so just monitor it. How are the temps? Around 95ish under the lamp? As long as they are nice and fluffy in the butt area, they are fine. When poop (usually caused by the gooey or runny poo) starts collected in that fuzz, it can build up and block the vent. So when you pick them up, always check back there. Good luck...I'm sure everything will go just fine!

 

[Spazzyyarn]

Thank you guys so much!! The temp is at 91 right now, I had to adjust the light.

And thanks for the poop pics (I never EVER thought I would say that. lol)

The pecking seems to have calmed down, but it's mainly this one black chick that's doing it. I'll just keep an eye and see what happens.

Their butts seem fine, all fuzzy and cute so I guess I that's ok.

 

[Ariel301]

I have had some pecking issues with the bunch I have right now. I have an assortment of bantams in the brooder and I have noticed that if one is wet (they're always playing in the water dish lol) the others pick at it. If they can see bare skin, they pick at it. I had one that had some crooked toes and I had them taped up to straighten them, and they picked at his feet--so badly they actually picked part of his toes off! If they see a raw spot or blood, they attack. If I leg band one, they attack it. It's mostly the Old English Games doing the biting, they sure do have big attitudes for such little things! I would keep an eye on it and make sure they are not doing any damage. They may peck each other from stress or overcrowding.

I have also learned that pasty butt can get to a dangerous situation quickly. We lost one a few days ago to it...he was fine when I checked him, then maybe three hours later my husband came running out of the bathroom with him saying he did not look good at all. I checked him over and his little butt was just covered, once I got it clean all I had to do was squeeze his rear a little and tons of poop would come out. He ended up dying an hour later.

So keep a good eye on them, especially from 3-7 days old, that is when ours seem to have gotten it the worst.

 

[Dora'smom]

Sometimes their pecking is just exploratory. One of my babies slowly cocked her head, and moved in slowly, and then grabbed another's wing-tip feather. The pecker/grabber pulled and pulled with all her tiny might, while the other one peeped and peeped. The pecker let go of the wing feather, and I have not seen it happen again. Toes are another matter, though. I think they look very worm-like and irresistible to other chicks.

 

[Spazzyyarn]

Here are our new chicks!

I have no idea as to sex, breed or any of that. The chicks were lumped together with a sign that said Baby Chicks. lol.

 

[Revelle]

I wonder if they're all EEs/mixes or just an assortment of unsold? :O

The 2nd picture has cool feather coloring though!