Question about chick poop

[flashlight]

I got my first ever chicks last Saturday. They seem to be doing well. They eat, drink, and seem lively all day in the brooder. I check on them several times a day, and they're starting to interact with me more often.

I switched out all their bedding yesterday, and I noticed a variety of poop colors. I checked a chart and everything I'm seeing seems normal. However, first thing this morning, one of the chicks climbed onto the heating plate in the brooder and pooped. I wiped it up and it was totally clear like water. She hopped down and ran off to get food. I got nervous about it, but after doing a Google search, it seems this can be a reaction to heat. I live in eastern NC and it's been 90 and humid all week. I've noticed that the chicks don't always want to sleep under the heating plate, so I think a reaction to heat could be a possibility for this chick. She seems fine otherwise.

Is this somewhat normal? Should I switch to a medicated feed for a few days just to be on the safe side?

 

[cherrynberry]

I got my first ever chicks last Saturday. They seem to be doing well. They eat, drink, and seem lively all day in the brooder. I check on them several times a day, and they're starting to interact with me more often.

I switched out all their bedding yesterday, and I noticed a variety of poop colors. I checked a chart and everything I'm seeing seems normal. However, first thing this morning, one of the chicks climbed onto the heating plate in the brooder and pooped. I wiped it up and it was totally clear like water. She hopped down and ran off to get food. I got nervous about it, but after doing a Google search, it seems this can be a reaction to heat. I live in eastern NC and it's been 90 and humid all week. I've noticed that the chicks don't always want to sleep under the heating plate, so I think a reaction to heat could be a possibility for this chick. She seems fine otherwise.

Is this somewhat normal? Should I switch to a medicated feed for a few days just to be on the safe side?

I wouldn't worry, chicks seem to have the oddest poops. And honestly, I don't even usually worry unless there's blood, dark brown poop (which would suggest blood), or lethargic chicks.

 

[ChickNanny13]

"dark brown" soft stinky poop can also be the cecal (nasty stuff) which is normal.
Sometimes they do drink too much water, then will have watery poop.
Don't worry about them on top of the heating pad instead of under ... They'll go under if they need to. Being that you're using a heating pad, they adjust themselves .... This chart is an idea for those brooding with a heat lamp or light bulb.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I don't worry about their poop unless it's bloody, it is has a bright or neon color to it, shows visible worms or they are acting off. The chick most likely just drank a bunch of water.

 

[flashlight]

Thanks, everyone. This makes me feel better. They all seem to be doing well, so I don't think there are any serious concerns right now.

I've been noticing more of the soft brown cecal poop in the brooder over the last couple of days, and yes, it smells pretty bad. I was happy to switch out the bedding yesterday since it definitely wasn't smelling fresh anymore. I never knew how varied chicken poop can be.