Thank you everyone for the warm welcome! I've been researching quite a bit and am familiar with pasty butt. I've heard Apple cider vinegar in the water can help?! My husband is just finishing the brooder with the heat lamp, and I'm making the nipple watering bucket! Thank you for the wonderful advice and links to the websites! I know what I'll be doing tonight.
Yes I'm a huge fan of using ACV in the water. It is a good source of potassium and is quickly absorbed. Potassium is important to build strength and fight bacteria by flushing out toxins. It boosts a chicken's respiratory, immune and digestive systems and helps with calcium absorption. Also, it helps fight and prevent cancer, infections, diseases and illnesses. ACV is high in vitamins, electrolytes, probiotics and minerals. It also is thought to be a mild antibiotic. If you are going to be moving your chickens to new housing, introducing to the flock or if your birds are molting make sure to use ACV as it helps reduce stress levels.
Use 1 tablespoon per gallon in the water. Never use ACV in metal water containers as it will break it down and leach harmful chemicals into the chickens' drinking water. Some people even claim that their chickens prefer the taste of water with ACV instead of plain water! ACV can also be used in a bath for your chickens. ACV will kill and rid your chickens of any external parasites. Plus it conditions the skin. You can use ACV for cleaning nest boxes, feeders, waterers and incubators too.