nasty butt?

[college town chick]

I don't know what else to call it -- a couple of the chicks have a bit of yucky on their bottoms -- not pasted, just yucky. Is this common and harmless, or could there be something wrong -- and if so, what can I do to fix it?

None of them are acting sick, or even lethargic -- and they all seem to be eating and drinking well (picked them up Wednesday morning).

While I'm at it (yes, I'm a chicken newbie, and I've got lots of quesitons) -- my brooder isn't getting to 95 degrees, only 90, but the chicks don't seem to be bothered by it too much (they snuggled in little groups today as the outside temp was chillier today -- but they aren't huddling and don't seem to be concerned about getting under the lamp, some of them are even sleeping scattered around in the cooler parts of the brooder and they're all running around, eating, and drinking pretty much all the time). Should I just keep an eye on them (I'm a bit concerned that tonight will be the chilliest night so far), or should I go out and buy another lamp?

And -- I've had the chicks since Wednesday morning, when will it be safe for me to:
take the marbles from their waterers
put in regular bedding
feed them treats (I've already got a couple that think about stepping up into our hands -- so any extra incentive for them to act tame and friendly)
give them some toys to play with

Finally (!) I've got a couple of chicks that like to peck at the others' especially at their heads/eyes -- what' s up with that? And do I need to be concerned/do anything about it?

Yes, I am posting a lot of stuff here -- but thought it might be better to put it all in one post???

 

[aidenbaby]

Without a picture, I would say to treat the dirty bottoms the same as you would pasty. Keep a real close eye because it can build up fast.

90 should be fine for your chicks. Mine cuddle even when it is nice and cozy. I think it is better to watch your chicks behavior than to watch a thermometer. If they are right up under the lamp, you may want to lower it a little. If they are all as far away from it as possible, you'll want to raise it.

I don't know about the marbles.

You can probably start using the regular bedding now. They just needed to learn where their food was.

Treats? You'll get a lot of different answers.

The pecking is probably just them figuring out what is edible and what is not. I'd just keep an eye to make sure that no one gets hurt and it isn't the same ones picking and it isn't the same ones receiving the picking. I've found that chicks are a lot like infants and EVERYTHING goes in the mouth first.

 

[Lollipop]

Pasty Butt;

OK, The straight skinny on "Pasty Butt". Believe it or not, Pasty Butt is a symptom of constipation. The cure is molasses in their drinking water. Molasses is a natural laxative for fowl. Mix it like weak tea and give it to them for 2 days. Naturally you should clean their little butts with a warm damp cloth before you start the treatment. Failure to cure this condition could result in a painful death for your chicken. This treatment is for adult birds as well as chicks.

 

[DODALDO]

Pecking: I had to change from a white light to a red one don't know why but they stoped pecking as soon as i changed the light to a red heat light, hope it helps.

 

[Judy]

I'd keep the marbles for a few more days. Give them toys anytime.

On treats, though they need the nutrition in the feed, they also benefit from a little yogurt. Mix a little with their feed and feed it from your hand.
Gets them used to "the hand" being the bearer of goodies.

Have fun!

 

[Brindlebtch]

I gave my guys a few meal worms everyday from my hand after they were a few weeks old. They went nuts! Now they are really interested anytime I get near hoping I have something for them.

 

[college town chick]

Thanks, I'll keep an eye on their bottoms -- so far, no build up just a bit messy around the vent area. I've always got molasses around, use it to sweeten the blow of paste wormer/meds for the horses ! I've also got one now with a swollen gizzard -- not hard, soft, but kinda swollen, but seems to be in no distress or lethargic, is running around and eating/drinking, wasn't very pleased that I picked it up for an examination. Ate too much perhaps?

It'll be a relief to put the bedding down -- little devils are pooping like crazy and making a mess of the paper towels almost as soon as it gets put down!

I think I'll try the yogurt on them, and since I'll be in the area, maybe get them some of those little cat balls to play with.

As for the pecking, there is one major culprit -- one of my Salmon Faverolles is a bit of a b45^y biddy (that' s our nickname for her too). She's constantly hopping on the sleeping ones, pecking -- she pecks at us when we try to pick her up too! I thought they were supposed to be shy, docile birds -- she and the other SF are the smallest ones of the bunch (the other one is sweet and shy) but she's a little harpy! I'll keep an eye on her -- maybe the toys will give her some outlet for her busybody-ness.

I've already got an Australorpe, an EE, a Barred Rock, a Welsummer (sometimes) and a Delaware that come up to me when I tap the side of their box -- the Aussie has started making steps into my hand and lets me ruffle her neck and back feathers (we'll be keeping her). They get a lot of checking on and talking to with me and the two oldest kids.

 

[college town chick]

Opps, and me again -- what sort of bedding would you recommend for them? I can get pine shavings or crushed corn cob from the feed store.

 

[jenni2142]

crushed corn cob might look too much like their food, maybe the pine would be better.

 

[m2wandc]

I kept the marbles in the water until they were two weeks old...

Pasty butt can be fatal if not attended to...so post a pic or treat like pasty butt IMHO...

I gave treats at 1.5 weeks old (meal worms)

I have a red heat lamp because it's more soothing and works better to keep heat...

a day before their 3 week birthday I let them go outside for a short visit on the lawn...they loved it, but back inside to their brooder until they are older.

Just skimmed your post, so if I mentioned something for no reason, sorry and if I didn't answer something else, sorry

Best of Luck!!!

Oh and I like shavings...easy to clean too...I just dump out and refill...I change my brooders about 1 time per week, but now that the big girls are 3 weeks old, I think it might be two times a week, their poop is bigger now! LOL