how do you keep your chicks feet clean from poop?

[MonsterClucker]

Im on day 2 with my first batch of chicks. 15 jumbo Cornish x,10 barred rocks and 2 broad breasted white poults.

There is obviously a lot of poop. Today I'm letting my nephew hold the chicks and there is poop caked up on the chicks feet at the bottom. I've been using paper towels over my shavings for the first few days. Is that the problem? I was thinking the shavings might keep the poop off their feet.

It's pretty gross. Lol

I like the chicks and want the turkeys to be kind of social with us, but we've got to do something about those feet!

Or am I just gonna have to deal with it?

What are you guys doing about that situation? Lol

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

I always use newspaper as litter. They are usually clean for a few days but at about day 4 their papers need changed about 3 or 4 times a day. I would just keep their litter really clean. You could wipe it off their feet with warm water and a paper towel.

 

[MonsterClucker]

I always use newspaper as litter.  They are usually clean for a few days but at about day 4 their papers need changed about 3 or 4 times a day.   I would just keep their litter really clean.  You could wipe it off their feet with warm water and a paper towel.

 

Thanks for the reply. I thought newspapers were a No-No?

I tried to wipe it off a few of them. It's pretty caked on there.
Should I just chalk it up and clean all their feet With a warm rag?

 

[satay]

I use paper towel and change it every day.

 

[MonsterClucker]

I use paper towel and change it every day.

Im changing the paper towels at least 4 or 5 times a day. I don't like them walking through the poop.

So your chicks don't have poop on their feet?

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

Thanks for the reply. I thought newspapers were a No-No?
I tried to wipe it off a few of them. It's pretty caked on there.
Should I just chalk it up and clean all their feet With a warm rag?

I thought newspapers are good, we've never had a problem. I think straw or hay is a bad one for the first week.

If it is caked on I would just soak their feet in warm water, or wrap them in a wet rag until it is soft enough to pull off. I wouldn't just break it of though, a fair judge told me that they lose toenails that way.

 

[angel8035]

I thought newspapers are good, we've never had a problem. I think straw or hay is a bad one for the first week.

If it is caked on I would just soak their feet in warm water, or wrap them in a wet rag until it is soft enough to pull off. I wouldn't just break it of though, a fair judge told me that they lose toenails that way.

I have also heard that newspapers are not good to use. I think they can get too slippery and cause splay leg. Not sure if that's the only reason.

I used paper towels over my shavings and I didn't really seem to have a problem with them having poopy feet...maybe there are just too many of them in too small of a space? I only raised up 6 at a time and changed the paper towels daily. (of course this didn't stop them from pooing directly on us when we were holding them

)

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

I've never had any problems. I've only had one chick with splay leg, and he came from the hatchery like that. It is on hardware mesh though, I don't know if that would make it easier for them to grip. They don't seem to slip at all.

 

[MonsterClucker]

I have also heard that newspapers are not good to use. I think they can get too slippery and cause splay leg. Not sure if that's the only reason. I used paper towels over my shavings and I didn't really seem to have a problem with them having poopy feet...maybe there are just too many of them in too small of a space? I only raised up 6 at a time and changed the paper towels daily. (of course this didn't stop them from pooing directly on us when we were holding them )

Idk. I have a pretty roomy brooder. It's 3 different sections. I have 27 chicks.

 

[MonsterClucker]

Or is it to small? And that's why they have poppy feet?