RIR chick help- first time questions and concerns!

[HenHouse96]

Hi everyone!
So my chickens are almost 5 weeks (friday) and they have most of their feathers. I live in GA, and its warm outside right now. My brooder bulb blew. I was going to shut it off next week so they can acclimate to the temperature difference. My question is- would it be okay to put them outside right now? They still have "fluff" on their bodies. But hard head, tail, and wing feathers.
My next question, I have a chick with a prolapsed vent, it's been this since I first got her. She struggles with pastey butt as well. Some places says she'll be fine, others say to "help her out." It looks better than it did and she doesn't seem to be in any pain. Should I let her live? Sorry for the long post! I love my girlies so much already. I just want them to be happy and healthy.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

How many chicks all together? What is your overnight low? They are definitely old enough to go out during the day time.

Can you post a pic of the prolapse? It may have become that way with the pasty butt initially... Have you offered grit or anything else or what are you doing for the pasty butt? Maybe try some raw apple cider vinegar to get gut flora in balance? I have to be honest, IF I thought it was truly prolapse... it will get worse when eggs start coming and I would "help her out". Some will try to fix it and may be lucky enough for it to not come back. To me it's an indicator of a problem that will be recurring and a weakness that is inviting disease to live among my flock... in the weak bird... Things will go after them first. However, I breed my birds and don't want weakness breeding forward. Much different perspective than someone who keeps only pets. And what is right for me may not be the right choice for you. Even then, I would have a hard time culling RIGHT now.

I would also consider letting her live until her first major prolapse at which point I would process her for my table. We try not to waste any life. Yes, we even eat Silkies.

I would start with daytime trips outside with a huddle box for warmth and protection, overnight indoors for the adjustment period. Short trips will allow immunity to build for the first few days. They will never lose the fluff off their bums. It used to confuse me. But they are likely not quite fully feathered yet. And their overnight warmth will vary by how many birds total. No I probably wouldn't replace the bulb. In would just allow an adjustment period unless the outdoor overnight low is close to indoor temps then it would n't make much difference. Just don't buy the myth that feeding corn keeps birds warm, that's what most feed already is and it's calories that provide energy for the birds to keep themselves warm. Nutritious calories in formulated rations is the best choice.

 

[Ridgerunner]

What are your forecast overnight lows in your part of Georgia for the next few days? I'm sorry but "warm" doesn't tell me nearly as much as a temperature would.

It sounds like they are inside the house. What temperature is it in there? They probably have not needed the heat for a couple of weeks.

If your coop is dry it probably doesn't matter if it is raining or not as long as you leave then locked in the coop section for the first week so they can learn where it is.

I can't help you with the prolapsed vent question. We all have our own goals and our own opinions. Some chickens with "problems" can live healthy productive lives. Some will not make it. Since i breed my chickens I would not allow that one to contribute any genes to the gene pool. Others would give her a chance. But be aware she could have serious problems later.

Welcome to the forum, glad you joined. You might modify our profile to show your general location. That can often help with questions like this. My gut feel since you are in Georgia is that they can go outside today, but I like to be cautious. We can have weird spring weather.

I know it can be challenging to to read or write long posts on some devices but never apologize for long posts when you are asking a question. The more information you can give us usually the better our responses. If anyone complains send them to me or several others I can think of.

 

[HenHouse96]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

How many chicks all together? What is your overnight low? They are definitely old enough to go out during the day time.

Can you post a pic of the prolapse? It may have become that way with the pasty butt initially... Have you offered grit or anything else or what are you doing for the pasty butt? Maybe try some raw apple cider vinegar to get gut flora in balance? I have to be honest, IF I thought it was truly prolapse... it will get worse when eggs start coming and I would "help her out". Some will try to fix it and may be lucky enough for it to not come back. To me it's an indicator of a problem that will be recurring and a weakness that is inviting disease to live among my flock... in the weak bird... Things will go after them first. However, I breed my birds and don't want weakness breeding forward. Much different perspective than someone who keeps only pets. And what is right for me may not be the right choice for you. Even then, I would have a hard time culling RIGHT now.

I would also consider letting her live until her first major prolapse at which point I would process her for my table. We try not to waste any life. Yes, we even eat Silkies.

I would start with daytime trips outside with a huddle box for warmth and protection, overnight indoors for the adjustment period. Short trips will allow immunity to build for the first few days. They will never lose the fluff off their bums. It used to confuse me. But they are likely not quite fully feathered yet. And their overnight warmth will vary by how many birds total. No I probably wouldn't replace the bulb. In would just allow an adjustment period unless the outdoor overnight low is close to indoor temps then it would n't make much difference. Just don't buy the myth that feeding corn keeps birds warm, that's what most feed already is and it's calories that provide energy for the birds to keep themselves warm. Nutritious calories in formulated rations is the best choice.

I have 6 hens. No roosters involved. We have done a day time trip already. I will post a pic. Tomorrow as I work nights. The lowest for this week is 57. Highest 86. I like in Covington ga. They have grit with probiotics. I've tried ACV as well. I went their buns with warm water and gently removed the poop with a q tip. And after its clean I'll apply some olive oil to their vents.
I was thinking about them spending the day outside and then I'll put them inside when i leave for work. Thank you for your help!

 

[HenHouse96]

What are your forecast overnight lows in your part of Georgia for the next few days? I'm sorry but "warm" doesn't tell me nearly as much as a temperature would.

It sounds like they are inside the house. What temperature is it in there? They probably have not needed the heat for a couple of weeks.

If your coop is dry it probably doesn't matter if it is raining or not as long as you leave then locked in the coop section for the first week so they can learn where it is.

I can't help you with the prolapsed vent question. We all have our own goals and our own opinions. Some chickens with "problems" can live healthy productive lives. Some will not make it. Since i breed my chickens I would not allow that one to contribute any genes to the gene pool. Others would give her a chance. But be aware she could have serious problems later.

Welcome to the forum, glad you joined. You might modify our profile to show your general location. That can often help with questions like this. My gut feel since you are in Georgia is that they can go outside today, but I like to be cautious. We can have weird spring weather.

I know it can be challenging to to read or write long posts on some devices but never apologize for long posts when you are asking a question. The more information you can give us usually the better our responses. If anyone complains send them to me or several others I can think of.

The lowest is 54, I believe. Inside my house it stays about 75. Their thermometer says 70. We're not looking to have a roo or breed yet. I live in Covington which is about an hour southeast of Atlanta I believe. I have 6 hens.

 

[Ridgerunner]

They absolutely do not need any extra heat in your house.

I've had chicks just over five weeks old go through nights with the lows in the mid 20's. I think yours are ready but if you are nervous wait a couple of more days.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

The lowest is 54, I believe. Inside my house it stays about 75. Their thermometer says 70. We're not looking to have a roo or breed yet. I live in Covington which is about an hour southeast of Atlanta I believe. I have 6 hens.

Your temps should be more than adequate.

 

[HenHouse96]

Your temps should be more than adequate.

This is my prolapsed girl

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I can't see the prolapse... but taking your word for it....

I would have a hard time culling at this age, even though I make the hard decisions all the time. I hate to see a life go to waste. I would probably let her grow out and see how she does, but process for the table at first incident. I can tell she is going to be a beauty.

 

[HenHouse96]

I can't see the prolapse... but taking your word for it....

I would have a hard time culling at this age, even though I make the hard decisions all the time. I hate to see a life go to waste. I would probably let her grow out and see how she does, but process for the table at first incident. I can tell she is going to be a beauty.

Thank you! When she was aching k it was a lot more evident. It like looks like a folded over piece of skin now. I'm excited to have them! They're gorgeous girls.