Fuzzy's Farm

[CluckyCharms]

So, I need help (again) please.

Can someone please help me figure out a way (unless you already know a way then that would be most helpful) to keep my 10-day old chicks clean from the belly down? I have two that have fursies on their footsies and even though I clean the poo out of the brooder at least 8x a day (probably more than that) they still find a way to step in their broodermates poopies. Somehow it gets on their feetfeathers and crusts up - GROSS. So, I've been washing it off with warm water on a daily basis to keep their legs poop-free.

Is there an easier way of keeping the poopy off the feathers that grow out of their legs?? It's the d'Uccle and the Silkie that have the furry feet - and they are adorable when they are clean as the feathers fluff out and look cute! But...when they're dirty and poopy...it's just disgusting.

It's not just poop...they walk around in the waterer and then jump out and scramble to the food dish and walk around in that as well, which also gunks up their foot feathers into a gooey mass of grossness.

The chicken coop will have *hanging* waterers and feeders...but what do I do in the meantime to keep them clean down there (other than continue to bathe them about 2x a day with warm water)?

thanks in advance

 

[RBahmer]

So, I need help (again) please.

Can someone please help me figure out a way (unless you already know a way then that would be most helpful) to keep my 10-day old chicks clean from the belly down? I have two that have fursies on their footsies and even though I clean the poo out of the brooder at least 8x a day (probably more than that) they still find a way to step in their broodermates poopies. Somehow it gets on their feetfeathers and crusts up - GROSS. So, I've been washing it off with warm water on a daily basis to keep their legs poop-free.

Is there an easier way of keeping the poopy off the feathers that grow out of their legs?? It's the d'Uccle and the Silkie that have the furry feet - and they are adorable when they are clean as the feathers fluff out and look cute! But...when they're dirty and poopy...it's just disgusting.

It's not just poop...they walk around in the waterer and then jump out and scramble to the foot dish and walk around in that as well, which also gunks up their foot feathers into a gooey mass of grossness.

The chicken coop will have *hanging* waterers and feeders...but what do I do in the meantime to keep them clean down there (other than continue to bathe them about 2x a day with warm water)?

thanks in advance

Well, to start with you can put their feeders and waterer up on something where they can still reach to eat and drink. I always have my babies dishes on something so they can't walk in it.

 

[CluckyCharms]

Good idea, except they're flying halfway up the brooder walls now...nervous they'll fly right out if I raise their feeders/waterers. =/ Hmm...guess I could put a screen over the top of the brooder so that's not possible, then I could raise their dishes. I really need to make a proper brooder I think.

Thank you for the advice...just need to figure out how to keep the little buggers in there if I do that. I didn't think they could fly so much at 10 days old? sigh. lol!

 

[silver1313]

Back from drs and errands and read and caught up on here... I really dislike therapy days ...always comfort to come here....got to finish dinner then ill be back to chat...

 

[teeville5]

Thanks, teeville5. I think this one's going to be like that. She seems to have no interest in the chickens. She's pretty young so all the girls are bigger than she is. And she is pure black - to quote MsB -- Muwahahahaha (or something like that-ha). Sorry MsB if I misquoted - LOL! Anyway, a good halloween cat...

One of ours is pure black, too. My daughter named him Salem. The rest are either not totally black or orange. Basically, all good halloween cats.

Pretty tired tonight. Been up since 4:45am because I had to go in early to work. Now it's time to go and pick up some dinner. Told DH no way was I going to cook tonight so pizza it is!

Robin, sorry about the turkey.

 

[NovaAman]

OK Clucky.... How many chicks are we talking here?
Brooder... Simple stupid indoor/garage brooder... You could even put it in a large coop, but by no means is this thing outdoor worthy for anything but a temporary run...

get 8-2x2x8's. Cut 3 of those at 4 foot lengths. Cut the other 3 at 2 foot lenghts. Make a box and a lid. Get a roll of chicken wire and 2- 2foot by 4 foot peices of luan... or how ever it is spelled. Very THIN wood... For the back and the bottom... Or you can get a a thinner peice of 4x8 ply, have it cut into 2 sections of 2x4, 2 sections of 2x2, and this will leave a 2x4 peice that you can do what ever with... Have it cut again into 1x4 section, and build a lip at the front... I used chicken wire on the lid so I could just set the brooder light right on top of the chicken wire... To keep the lid on, beleive it or not, I just used gorilla tape. Yup.


I use this thing in my garage for broodies too. When they are just about to hatch, I move mom and eggs to this, put the top on so mom doesn't decide to run back to the coop. I also move the whole nest box with mom and eggs in it. I use totes so easy job. After a few days, I turn it so it is open side facing out, mom can come and go then as she pleases. I gues you could make it outdoor worthy too... I have used it as a run for meat birds by facing the open side to the coop, chicken wire on the ground... made a nice safe shelter for them during the day, still got to peck at the ground. Since it is light as heck, easy to move around.

 

[RBahmer]

Thanks you guys for sympathy for the turkey. Just should have not ever happened !!!!

 

[RBahmer]

Silver - Your dog wants to play.

 

[silver1313]

Thanks you guys for sympathy for the turkey. Just should have not ever happened !!!!

Is sad about the turkey but i do have some good news .. i may be able to being you an SF roo or two to trade after all !!!!!


NOVA I love that brooder idea .. may have to make one like that for the garage or basement for the late hatchlings i have going !!! especially since I am down two brooders that we decided to burn the one and the other just well the door does not work right anymore and with cats lurking we cant takea chance especially since my new SFs are coming and some beautiful silkie additions as well ... one may even be SQ !!! I have never owned an SQ chicken t hat I am aware of !!!

Now to just get DH to work (3 different companies are supposed to be contacting him in the next 2-3 days lets pray one pans out !!! )and then I can get my trip up planned to a definite date ...now that I know what it is going to cost beyond motel fee .... no way am I flying up alone and then attempting a umm like 11-12 hour drive back home alone .....especially with SAM I Am and chickies and etc lol

 

[silver1313]

Silver - Your dog wants to play.

I cannot wait to get all this settled and get him home so i can play with him !!!! He is my desktop background now so I see him everyday !!