runny poo in 2 week old silkie chicks

[liljunie]

Hi,
My two silkie chicks are 16 days old. They are active and eating well. These are my first chicks so here are my questions.
They feel light and boney, is that normal?
Their feathers look very scraggly, is that usual at this age?
They have brown runny poo on and off, feeding Dumar chick starter.

I purchased a first aid kit at the Northeast Poultry Congress (chicken whisperer table) so I can treat them, but not sure if I should.

 

[RonC]

They will have runny/stinky poop every so often. It's how they purge themselves. A little ACV in their water, or try some plain yogurt will get them off to a good start. There are also probiotics you can purchase to ge their digestive systems going. I've never had silkies so the questions on the feathers I can't answer although most are scragely looking till they are about a month old. Might take them a while to put some meat on their bones, just make sure they have plenty to eat.

 

[liljunie]

Thanks!! I do have a bottle of probiotics in my first aid kit...I will look tonight. They have access to food all of the time, and I am not feeding them anything besides the starter. I will start the yogurt!