new to raising chicks could use some advice !

[lazy gardener]

I would not trust that they can get all of the water they need from that hampster waterer. You can make a trough style waterer by placing a deep saucer with a heavy cup in the middle so that the water forms a moat around the cup. You really should buy or make them a standard waterer so they will have clean water available but not be able to get wet in the water. If you just give them a dish or bowl of water, they can get wet or drown. You really should get a thermometer. It's so very easy to overheat chicks if you are a newbie and using a heat lamp.

 

[notsorandom]

This worked for me with my baby Delaware who had pasty butt.
Get some warm water (not hot, but warm). Dip a baby wipe or thick paper towel into the warm water. With the baby in one hand and your warm, wet baby wipe in the other, slowly and gently clean the bum area and see if you can use little pinching motions to work the poo off. Sorry if this is too much information or gross, but they sometimes get a plug of poo, and it needs to be softened and removed. The warm water is the best way to break down the poo, especially if it is hard. Some chicks will cry when you do this, mine seemed not to mind at all. Be very gentle, and go slow. Make sure you don't get her all wet, because she could catch a chill. Just a little warm wipe of the bum. I hope this works for you. If you are able to clean it up, you can put a tiny (very tiny!) bit of neosporin back there to help heal any irritation and to make it slick, so poo doesn't stick again.

I managed to get it odf but it looked like hee bottom was throbbing i went to check on them and they seemed ok ...shouls i be worried about the throbbing or if thats even what she was doing

 

[Eighty806]

I managed to get it odf but it looked like hee bottom was throbbing i went to check on them and they seemed ok ...shouls i be worried about the throbbing or if thats even what she was doing

I started my flock a year ago so I understand the anxiousness of a newbie. I had similar experience with the pasty bottom last year also. Warm water paper towel and slowly softened the poop as twist it off will do the trick. I have to recommend against the hamster water bottle. Hamsters lick and chicks peck. The water bottle of the chicks uses a nipple, not the same as the ball mechanism of the hamster water bottle. I add probiotics and electrolytes in the water when they were chicks. They brooder need to start at 95 degrees the first week and reduce by 5 degrees each week. I also wet the chicken starter feed a little, not paste, just wet the food a little. They are so adorable! They will grow up fast though

 

[Eighty806]

I managed to get it odf but it looked like hee bottom was throbbing i went to check on them and they seemed ok ...shouls i be worried about the throbbing or if thats even what she was doing

The throbbing is normal I think.

 

[notsorandom]

I started my flock a year ago so I understand the anxiousness of a newbie. I had similar experience with the pasty bottom last year also. Warm water paper towel and slowly softened the poop as twist it off will do the trick. I have to recommend against the hamster water bottle. Hamsters lick and chicks peck. The water bottle of the chicks uses a nipple, not the same as the ball mechanism of the hamster water bottle. I add probiotics and electrolytes in the water when they were chicks. They brooder need to start at 95 degrees the first week and reduce by 5 degrees each week. I also wet the chicken starter feed a little, not paste, just wet the food a little. They are so adorable! They will grow up fast though

I just checked on them june the one with pasty butt seems better shes resting but somehow seems better yeah i put the dish back in just in case i really need to get the probiotics and thwy arent so huddled anymore since getting the red 150 watt light i have their cage as warm as i can get i need to invest in a thermometer as well luckily where im at its going to start getting warm soon which is also good i think...i check in these girls lime 6-8 times a night but ao far its worth it i just dont want to lose them due to not knowing something

 

[moniquem]

I love your baby chicks, what kind are they?

 

[notsorandom]

I love your baby chicks, what kind are they?[/QUOT

I love your baby chicks, what kind are they?

buff orpington,rhode island red and an australorp if im correct.id need to look at the papers one more time but i am 99 percent thats their breed haha..im already in love with them,the little yellow one is may she the the buff i think shes the sassiest the rhode island is may and shes silly and june is the australorp shes a sweetheart ..i live on property that already has chickens they are fully grown but so sweet their chickens are what made me decide to get a few of my own as theirs now knocks at my door with their beaks awaiting treats even roo isnt as aggressive towards me though they tend to try and come inside haha

 

[SonoranChick]

I managed to get it odf but it looked like hee bottom was throbbing i went to check on them and they seemed ok ...shouls i be worried about the throbbing or if thats even what she was doing

I think it's ok. The important thing is that you got that poo off.

 

[notsorandom]

I think it's ok. The important thing is that you got that poo off.

I checked on them they are all doing better i think the red heat lamp was a good purchase they all ate their food amd water and just seem to be doing better

 

[SonoranChick]

That's good news Keep us posted, and keep checking those little butts for any more issues...sometimes the pasty butt can be a recurring problem for a few days but as long as you keep it clean and they are able to poop, you're good to go.
Also, nice choice on breeds. I have all three of those and they have been wonderful additions to the flock. They are good layers too.