How to clean a frizzled chick with feathered feet

[redinator]

I recently got a batch of bantam chicks. 4 of the 9 are frizzled with feathered feet down to the toes. I know how to clean the toes of a chick without feathers, but the feathered toes are new to me.

I noticed two of the frizzled chicks are walking a bit odd. I checked them over and it seems the featerhers on their legs and feet are mucky, which I assume could cause them to walk funny if the feathers are being pulled when they walk normally.

Their wings also seem to be a bit sensitive when I stroke them, is that normal with frizzels?

Normally I'd soak the chicks feet and pick off any stuck poop. Then wipe them off with damp towel then a dry towel. It seems the frizzels would have a harder time drying off and thermoregulating. Also the feathered legs make getting the poop off a bit difficult since I don't want to pull out the feathers.

I'm thinking hypoallergenic baby wipes might be the way to go since I don't want to overwet them, but I don't know if there's anything in the wipes that might cause skin irritations. I'd assume not since they're safe for infants, but these are chicks . . .so I'm double checking before I make the problem worse.

If the wipes aren't enough to get them clean, I do have a dog hair dryer I could set up to help them dry off if soaking their feet/legs is the best option.

Any other suggestions?

 

[Debbie292d]

I've raised/bred silkies for 9 years, some of which are frizzled, and other than pulling or cutting some wad of something off their feathers, I've never had an issue.

I guess if mine were in a muddy or different terrain where they were constantly mucked up, I'd try change that for them. For example, we bought sod (cheaper than one thinks) and put it down in breeding pens. In other pens, we'll lay down straw or horse bedding pellets. Otherwise, the rest free range so don't get too dirty. They clean themselves too.

If you've really got messy feet though and want to clean them, I'd be just soaking them in the kitchen sink or a tub of warm water, then trying to get the gunk off.

 

[redinator]

I've raised/bred silkies for 9 years, some of which are frizzled, and other than pulling or cutting some wad of something off their feathers, I've never had an issue.

I guess if mine were in a muddy or different terrain where they were constantly mucked up, I'd try change that for them. We bought sod and put down in breeding pens.

If you've really got messy feet though and want to clean them, I'd be just soaking them in the kitchen sink or a tub of warm water, then trying to get the gunk off.

These chicks are still in the brooder, so they stay mucky unfortunately. they seem to poop as soon as I clean it, lol.

 

[Debbie292d]

These chicks are still in the brooder, so they stay mucky unfortunately. they seem to poop as soon as I clean it, lol.

OH, we use horse bedding pellets in our brooders, so they stay pretty clean as the pellets dry the poops. If they get a pellet stuck to their feet before it could dry out the poop, they get it off themselves.

 

[redinator]

OH, we use horse bedding pellets in our brooders, so they stay pretty clean as the pellets dry the poops. If they get a pellet stuck to their feet before it could dry out the poop, they get it off themselves.

I'll be adding that to my list. I use it the run, I just wasn't sure if the chicks would try to eat it and have digestive issues.

 

[Debbie292d]

I'll be adding that to my list. I use it the run, I just wasn't sure if the chicks would try to eat it and have digestive issues.

Of course they'll try eat it, once. Just like with the pine flakes or any other bedding folks use. We've been doing this for the better part of a year for hundreds of hatched silkies and never had an issue.

I put down about an inch of pellets, then cover the heated end with paper towels for their first 3 or so days. Then I pull the paper towels and they are solely on the pellets.

We use verticle nipple bottles for their water, so the wet pellet area there turns to sawdust from the drips. I try keep that clean or the little buggers will try dustbathing in it. No harm if it's dry, I suppose, as this sawdust is dust-free. I just mix it up with the other pellets or remove it and add a few more.

You'll notice, no smell anymore.

 

[redinator]

Of course they'll try eat it, once. Just like with the pine flakes or any other bedding folks use. We've been doing this for the better part of a year for hundreds of hatched silkies and never had an issue.

I put down about an inch of pellets, then cover the heated end with paper towels for their first 3 or so days. Then I pull the paper towels and they are solely on the pellets.

We use verticle nipple bottles for their water, so the wet pellet area there turns to sawdust from the drips. I try keep that clean or the little buggers will try dustbathing in it. No harm if it's dry, I suppose, as this sawdust is dust-free. I just mix it up with the other pellets or remove it and add a few more.

You'll notice, no smell anymore.

I did notice the smell and flies disappear after adding a layer in the run. Unfortunately the largest bag I can find is 40lb, so it doesn't go very far.