Poopy feet w/PDZ?

[nicole63021]

We started with PDZ in our brooder as it was supposed to be very good for health and to help keep odors down. However, I have found that some of the chicks (our Faverolles especially), are ending up with some poo stuck to their feet. None of them have pasty butt and they all seem to be happy and healthy chicks aside from having some poo foot. Has anyone else had this issue? Thinking that maybe we need to switch to pine shavings and just have a brooder poo tray w/PDZ on it under the roost I will be adding next week (want the chicks a week behind to have a chance to get coordinated enough to use the roost). Any thoughts would be appreciated on this matter.

 

[fiddlebanshee]

No, I have not had that issue. The poo dries very rapidly into tiny balls and does not stick to anything. If anything I'd think that pineshavings would be worse because the poo stays wet so much longer.

 

[nicole63021]

I wonder if it's just because of the squat they do with the extra toes. That's where they seem to be getting it and none of my other chicks are having that issue. The favs also like to preen (readeck the falling down) the others, and a pooping chick is an easy target. Not really sure. Thanks for the thought on pine being a bit wetter, that's what I was afraid of.

 

[MoonShadows]

Chickens walk through poop and get it on their feet; later when they start to lose a few feathers, the feathers can even stick to the poop on their feet. That's what chickens do. Don't try to change them. The poop doesn't bother them, only us.

 

[nicole63021]

I was just worried about how it may affect their feet, if it won't hurt them I won't worry! Thank you!

 

[MoonShadows]

Nah, it won't hurt them.