New but dirty chicks - Advice??

[taprock]

Just picked up some new small chicks, not sure how old but feathered out. They are dirty and smelly. Can I give small chicks a bath? Also how long should I keep them separate - not coming from the best conditions. I've heard a month and don't think I can do that long. Any idea on how long most disease incubation is? They are some cute chicks!

 

[Wildflower_VA]

A couple of my chicks had really bad pasty butts from being shipped and I put each in a cup of warm water and they seemed to like it. It was very warm in the house that day, so I just wrapped them in a paper towel to soak up as much water as I could, then put them in the brooder still wet. They dried in just a couple of minutes. Some people blow them dry, but I didn't want to scare them.

I am not an expert, but I was just reading an article in this month's Backyard Poultry about what can happen if you do not quarantine new birds. You could lose all your other chickens. The new chicks will be bringing in all kinds of organisms that you don't have in your chickens quarters. I would be especially careful with chicks that are dirty and smelly.

 

[FuzzyButtsFarm]

Always Always Always. Quarantine any new chickens for 30 days. Even chicks unless they came from a hatchery. Especially dirty smelly ones. Otherwise your putting your whole flock at risk.

 

[202roosterlane]

Oh ! Great info for everyone. Thanks

 

[LovinChicknFarmn]

I had a pasty chick too. I washed it with warm water and then dried it a little with my blow dryer on cool air on the lowest setting. I held it in a towel for a little bit and then put it back out with Mama. They'll take care of the rest by doing their little preening thing.