New To Chicks! Have A Question

[Ridgerunner]

Any of the hatcheries should have a good write-up on how to care for chicks, at least the basics. It is in their interests that the chicks live. He is Cackle's write-up, but any good hatchery will have something like this.

http://www.cacklehatchery.com/page14.html

What you are describing sounds like pasty butt. That is where the poop dries and blocks the vent. It is sometimes caused by stress. It can be fatal. There are different ways of removing it, usually involving moistening it enough so you can get it off. If you soak the chick, make sure the water is warm to the touch and you don't leave it out where it can chill. Put it back in the warm brooder to dry off. Many people use wet paper towels, wet clothes, or such to get it off. Be careful you do not tear the skin, but pulling down off is not a big deal.

 

[sheila3935]

I soak my little ones in warm water and gently pick the poo off. The i dry with a dy cloth and then blow dry thier bottoms. You want to make sure you use a cool setting on your blow dryer so you dont burn them. I recieved 14 chicks for free from our local feed store cause they were pasty and the kids that worked their didnt want to clean them up. Guess what kids I'm going to be working there next week as the department head. Guess they are going to have to get use to cleaning bums

If they have really been stressed such as shipping or at a feed store where big hand are always grabbing at them you may have to do it more than once I check mine every day usually after the first week or so they wont paste anymore