First Timer - Panicking

Pasty butt is probably one of the most common things that can occur early on. But the good thing is nearly everyone has dealt with it so there is plenty of advice! My kids aren't that little but my 10 year old has ADHD so could be a little comparable! :gig When the chicks are very tiny you'll have to be doing most of the handling. One of the things I did for the first week was made a "Visiting" box that was only about 8-2 inches deep. The girls could sit on the floor with the small box on the floor between them and that way there wasn't a risk of chicks getting dropped etc. I'll see if I can find a picture. Then the best thing was that one of our friends who does 4H came over and showed them a good chick hold. (Chick sitting in your hand beak pointing toward your arm. Middle finger goes through their legs and their legs hang down between your fingers. - Again will try to find a picture). It seemed to calm the chicks. Couldn't find pic of the "visiting box" But here is a pic of one of our 5 week chicks in the hold. See how relaxed she is. Only one of our chicks doesn't settle down.
I will for sure try both of those! My kids are pretty gentle because they have always been around animals but still worrying a bit. Do you have any advice on roosters? Im getting the buff orpingtons (heard they were calm and patient). Should i just get hens at first and let everyone get used to chickens before i add in that more aggressive sex? I refuse to have an aggressive animal period are all roosters more aggressive than hens or is it case by case? Also is it true that on average chicks from tractor supply ect or generally more aggressive than chicks that are heritage (is that even the right term?!?!) and where is a good place to buy heritage birds? I guess i did hijack this forum sorry!!!!!
 
No idea on roosters. We have one chick that we think is a roo and I have to get rid of it because we can't have one in our neighborhood. Otherwise I would keep it. My friends have a very sweet rooster. I think it depends on the breed and the individual animal.
 
No idea on roosters.  We have one chick that we think is a roo and I have to get rid of it because we can't have one in our neighborhood.  Otherwise I would keep it.  My friends have a very sweet rooster.  I think it depends on the breed and the individual animal.


We live in the country in Kentucky so i think Im clear on the zoning laws for chickens but how do i double check? Just to be safe....
 
I talked to other Chicken owners in my town who had already done the research. Otherwise you can call your town/city hall and ask if there are any ordinances that would prevent you. If there are, get a copy of it as they can frequently be misconstrued.
 
The Light Brahma. I think she's dying.

I don't know what to do. Okay, deep breath, this is what's going on.

I woke up this morning and changed their bedding before I went to work. When I picked her up, I noticed she was definitely lighter feeling than the others. She also seemed a little listless. Now I came home today and she's collapsed in the corner. Part of me is just hoping that she's "sleeping" in a really stupid position like a lot of the other chicks have done, but if you couple it with her weirdness this morning... I'm really upset. I don't know what to do. She seemed perfectly fine. She doesn't even have trouble with pasty butt.
 
Haven't seen her eat since yesterday. I dipped her beak in the water and she swallowed some down. She's standing now, at least. Still very, very weak, though. I checked her bum. I thought maybe I hadn't seen some pasty butt so I checked and it looked like there was a little bit there, so I cleaned her up. Maybe that will help. I also all moved them from the dog kennel to the bath tub because they were making the dog kennel very filthy very fast with such small amount of space.

Can I give them vanilla yogurt? That's all I have. :\ It's organic...
 
I know lots of people who use flavored yogurt. I think you probably don't want to use it for a long time because of the sugar but otherwise should be ok. you could tried some scrambled egg too to get her eating and give her a little boost. And make sure she's drinking. Just keep dipping her beak if you need to. If she doesn't drink that way then use a dropper. If you have any electrolytes to add to the water that also wouldn't be a bad idea.

Good luck. Let us know how she does!
 
Didn't stir for the scrambled eggs at all. I did dip her beak in the yogurt a little and it looks like she was swallowing. Followed it up with some water and now I'm going to leave her alone for a little bit so she can rest.

Everyone else liked the scrambled eggs, though.
 

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