I think I read too much!

[jeapa]

I have been excited to finally have a small flock of chickens again. I have fond memories of the chickens my parents had on their small farm growing up.

Then I started reading all I could get my hands on because I wanted to make sure I was well informed and to see if what I remember is correct or if methods have changed much. I never heard the term pasty butt until I read these forums, but my parents never had chicks shipped either, If they needed to add some hens they just let a broody raise some up.

I find myself wishing I had more then 3/4 of an acre and could have a rooster. I can tell that I lean more towards the old school of raising chickens where most people now seem to treat them like pets. I want my chickens to feel safe and friendly towards me, but I don't think I need to cuddle them. For those that hold their chickens please don't take offense we all have our own way of doing things I was just surprised because I never thought people cuddled chickens. My grandkids will probably take care of the cuddling for me.

After reading about pasty butt last night I decided that I had better check my chicks this morning. I have had them since yesterday afternoon and they all seemed to have a little poop stuck to their fur. I couldn't tell if it was blocking their holes so I ended up washing their little butts with a wash cloth. I think this may have been more stressful then leaving the poop.... How often do you all check butts? I would think the presence of poop on the paper towels will tell me if they are blocked? I think this may end up being a good use for the paper towels that I read I should use.

This sight is great. I just wish I didn't read something then get worried that I am not doing something right. I got up 2 times last night and went out to the coop to check on the chicks. They were fine, but I guess I just needed reassurance. The temp under the heat lamp is keeping steady at 92-93 and it is about 78-80 on the other side of the box so they can move where they are comfortable. I guess after a couple of weeks I will be more confident in my care and not worry so much.

Thanks for listening to my worried rant.

 

[Apyl]

Welcome to BYC and congrats on the babies. I agree this site is great but there are ALOT of info that is extreme. I view my chickens as livestock. Sure I am friendly towards some and name some but I am not about to build a deluxe coop or baby my chickens. they are hear to provide me with eggs and meat , in exchange I let them open range all day and provide food, water, and shelter. I am young but I follow old school ways like my Grandpa did. Good luck on your chicks. Raise them however you like and dont let anyone tell you otherwise

 

[kingsfarm]

Hi, I am of the same frame of mind, I love my chickens and they bring me many hours of enjoyment (and work to keep them healthy)..They are here to provide meat and eggs for this elderly couple (me and my 80 year old husband)..... I knew nothing of raising chickens a year ago but boy oh boy NOW I do and continue top get better as it goes...have learned many HOW-TO'S , like how to process, feed, make pens (safe) etc....Love it and I know you do also...just thought I would put in a few words this a.m.

 

[RonC]

Again welcome. There definitely are some pampered chickens on here. There is also alot of good information and advice on this forum. I probably pay mine more attention than a chicken really needs but having a small flock I guess you get to know them more on an individual basis. Like Apyl some of mine have names and others I can't tell apart. I check on mine frequenttly also although you will get more comfortable that they can tend to themselves to a degree as they get older. Mine never had any problems with pasty butt. I believe their diet and temperature have alot to do with it. Keep them on their starter and do not let them overheat and all should be good.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Welcome back to chickens, yes, there are extremes and two sides to every fence.
It's not normal for any animal to have poop stuck to the butt. You didn't mention how old your chicks are, and they have a heat lamp, which is okay, but don't you think 80 ° is a little hot for the cool side? Make sure they have plenty of clean water and bedding and lower that temp.
There is no easy way to unstick dry poop, just wet it and smash it a little and it will eventually fall off..just make sure the little butts are not blocked off.
As for checking their butts I guess I tend to look em over whenever I am there, just making sure they are acting normally and look normal, I don't bring a magnifying glasses, just observe.

 

[WinklerFarms]

I know how you feel....less than 2 years ago I had no chickens now I am raising meaties to sell and hatching chicks for myself.
As of today I now have 150 chickens here (100 of them meaties that are already presold)

This site enables people to let chicken math do its work! BEWARE!!!!!

 

[jeapa]

Thanks for the reassurance. It is great fun watching the peeps, but right now I can't even think of naming them... I am still trying to figure out how to tell them apart. I am looking forward to some delicious eggs

I just hope I don't lose any chicks while relearning how to take care of chickens. I wish I had my mom here to impart her wisdom. I miss her. she had a no nonsense common sense approach to
Everything and she was a great flock tender

Thanks all.

 

[jeapa]

Welcome back to chickens, yes, there are extremes and two sides to every fence. It's not normal for any animal to have poop stuck to the butt. You didn't mention how old your chicks are, and they have a heat lamp, which is okay, but don't you think 80 ° is a little hot for the cool side? Make sure they have plenty of clean water and bedding and lower that temp. There is no easy way to unstick dry poop, just wet it and smash it a little and it will eventually fall off..just make sure the little butts are not blocked off. As for checking their butts I guess I tend to look em over whenever I am there, just making sure they are acting normally and look normal, I don't bring a magnifying glasses, just observe.

Thanks for the welcome. The chicks hatched on Monday. I will raise the lamp if 78-80 is too warm on the cool side. The chicks seem to be behaving like they are comfortable. No loud peeps lots of moving around pecking stuff and then they tend to nap closer to lamp side. I will check their butts again tonight to make sure they are still clear. Should I add ACV to their water? I have the electrolyte stuff in it right now as that is what Meyer said to do for the first few days.