Help! Chicks are crusty!

[valreegrl]

Some time during the night my 2 day old chicks spilled their water.

When I checked on them this morning I found that the chicks have crusty bellies from laying on the wet paper towels and chick food spread on the bottom.

Should I wash them? Will they fluff up by themselves? Help please!

 

[noodleroo]

That doesn't sound very comfortable does it. Just like if they get pasty butt, you can wash off your chick. Some use a warm, wet paper towel, but I just ran warm water over mine. And then keep them warm and out of a draft until they dry. Or, do nothing. It should dry and flake off.

 

[valreegrl]

I washed off one. Used a blow dryer to get it mostly dry and put it back under the light. But that chick looks traumatized so I am afraid to do the rest. I only have one more that is really crusty and the rest just have spots on them.

I think I will wait it out and see if it flakes off before I try to wash another.

I feel like a new Mommy.....and I have kids

 

[dumb_cluck]

what kind of waterer are you using?

 

[ekemily]

If you have a feed store nearby, they usually sell inexpensive (around $5) chicken waterers that should solve your problem. Hope this helps!

 

[valreegrl]

I am using this:

I think I will put marbles on the bottom so this doesn't happen again. But I never thought they could tip it over. First for me

 

[dumb_cluck]

If they are only a couple of days old, they should not have been able to tip it over. Did you put it up on a block? The marbles will weight it down, but the reason for marbles is to keep the chicks from drowning.

 

[valreegrl]

Quote:
That's what I thought.....and my gut instinct is that my 5 year old snuck in and accidentally tipped it. We had a LONG discussion on the "boy who cried wolf" today

But....I still have chicks with a crusty belly. It doesn't look to be getting any better. Should I wash them off and dry them with the blow dryer? I hate to do it, but I am worried. The first chick I did I just got a little bowl with warm water and washed then wrapped it in a towel and dried. I put it back in the brooder under the lamp and let it dry out the rest of the way. Should I do the rest? Not all need it, maybe just 3-4 out of 11.

 

[dumb_cluck]

If it's only a couple more, then clean them up. Dry them best you can with a towel and let them dry naturally under the heat lamp.

Be real careful not to scare them when you apply the warm water. Don't soak them either. Good Luck.