Two of my 3 week olds have runny poo

[Chickmom96]

Hi, I'm new at raising chicks and have noticed that 2 of my 6 three week olds have runny brown/white poo. We have had them 2 weeks as of tomorrow and we started using alfalfa hay on day 2. We are feeding them flock party rising chick. My silver laced Wyandotte and one of my buff Orpington has had it for about a week now. On Monday I started putting Dumor Chick grit in hoping that the grit would help. They still have the runny poo. They are active, eating good and drinking good, their feathers are coming in nicely and normal sleeping patterns. Just the runny poo. Could it be too much alfalfa? They really love scratching and pecking the fire out of it thanks for any tips!

 

[NatJ]

Some chicken poop is naturally runny.
This article has a bunch of pictures of normal poop:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/whats-scoop-on-chicken-poop-digestive/

If you still think it is odd, then maybe post a picture. That's usually very helpful for figuring out things like this.

 

[aart]

What does your brooder set up look like?
How are you managing their heat?
Anything but plain water being given?

 

[Chickmom96]

Some chicken poop is naturally runny.
This article has a bunch of pictures of normal poop:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/whats-scoop-on-chicken-poop-digestive/

If you still think it is odd, then maybe post a picture. That's usually very helpful for figuring out things like this.

Great! Thank you so much!

 

[Chickmom96]

What does your brooder set up look like?
How are you managing their heat?
Anything but plain water being given?

This is the set up, it's a 64 gallon tote with chicken wire attached to the lid. I move the heat lamp up and down as needed, but they don't huddle under it and its been in the same spot a few days now. I'm just giving them just plain water. The Orpington actually had a bit more solid poo today thankfully!

 

[aart]

This is the set up, it's a 64 gallon tote with chicken wire attached to the lid. I move the heat lamp up and down as needed, but they don't huddle under it and its been in the same spot a few days now. I'm just giving them just plain water. The Orpington actually had a bit more solid poo today thankfully!

Is that a 250W lamp?
Wondering if there's a cool spot in the brooder?
Overheating can cause issues.

Here's some tips about chick heat:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-chick-heat-blurb.75619/

 

[Chickmom96]

Is that a 250W lamp?
Wondering if there's a cool spot in the brooder?
Overheating can cause issues.

Here's some tips about chick heat:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-chick-heat-blurb.75619/

Yes it's a 250W lamp and the way the lamp is pointing they can go to where their water dish and food bowl is and it's much cooler. Should I get a lower wattage lamp since they are bigger? Thank you for the help!

 

[MIgardengal]

We had these packets of Save-a-chick probiotic they were quite affordable. We dealt with some runny poo and pasty butt with our first chicks last spring. But that probiotic in their water seemed to help. All of our 6 from last spring are healthy and strong hens now.

 

[aart]

Should I get a lower wattage lamp since they are bigger?

More because the tote is so small.

Did you read the link I posted?
Have you actually measured the temps on the brooder floor?

 

[Chickmom96]

More because the tote is so small.

Did you read the link I posted?
Have you actually measured the temps on the brooder floor?

Yes I read it thank you and they are not acting too hot or too cold. The floor opposite of the food and water is 86° and by the the food and water is 74°. I picked up a pro biotic pack and put it in their water this afternoon.