Need help with my baby chicks please

[SoccerMomof7]

I have 12 baby chicks that I hatched myself, they were doing fine but now some have very runny poo. I have even had a couple get pasty butts, but I don't understand why. They hatched this weekend and I have been cleaning their water twice aday and cleaning their cage while they were on paper towels about 4 times aday. I put them on shavings just a little bit ago because it was getting too much with the paper towels. What should I do for them?

 

[daisychick]

Mine were like that the first week too and then their poop seemed to get more solid in about a week. I think they are just getting their digestive system worked out. I am no expert but I would say as long as they are eating and drinking and seem happy that they are fine. The ones I have now are 2 weeks old today and sometimes once in a while there will be a watery poop. Hope that helps.

 

[daisychick]

oh forgot to also add....that if they are getting pasty butt just wipe off the clumps with wet paper towel or I even had to pull off some clumps which accidentaly takes off some down feathers but it stays clean after that.

 

[LovinMyPeeps]

I had problems with pasty on 3 of mine, so I got organic polenta from the health food section of my store, mixed it 50/50 and it stopped. Also I've been told it tends to end in about a week anyway, but the corn seemed to really help. I made sure I gave mine grit with the corn just to be safe. One woman posted to carefully clip around their bums and then there's not much to stick too which also helped. The fuzz grows back quickly

 

[orcasislandchickens]

Just watch them. They can get runny poo if they are drinking a lot. If you don't have a thermometer in the brooder get one in there, because you should keep track of the temperature.

I'm sure they are fine. Wash the pasty butt, and watch the rest, and relax. With little chicks it is easier to harm them trying to help, than kill them off by natural means.

Case in point: I accidentally dropped the brooder lamp on mine. The whole darn thing. I was horrified. I picked up the one it sqashed flattest and cried. It wiggled and peeped. I replaced the brooder lamp, and held it a while crying because I had killed it. But could't bring myself to put it out of it's misery. After a while it stood up shook itself and started crying to it's buddies. I put it back in the brooder and it is fine. Truly fine- you can't tell it from the others.

They are extremely fragile, and yet, sturdier than you'd ever guess, both at the same time. A real enigma.

 

[jonesgirl]

I saw somewhere on this forum that you aren't supposed to pull the poo off because you can pull thier insides out... be careful!!!

 

[SoccerMomof7]

Quote:
Ouch, I have been using a warm wet washcloth and very grossly and slowly wiping the poo off.

Believe me this morning I didn't have the stomach for it.

 

[LovinMyPeeps]

Sometimes I'm thankful I'm a nurse

makes cleaning runny poo a lot easier