Update and a concern

[anniemary]

Update: Our little chick with the splayed legs recovered nicely! Her legs are back to normal and she doesn't have her splint anymore. She is the runt of the litter, but she holds her own.

I can't even tell which chick was the stressed out one. She's healed nicely too!

Now my concern.

It was REALLY warm on my porch today and I noticed the chicks were all avoiding the warming light. So, I opened the windows a little more and took out the light for a little bit, but I forgot to put it back

. They are two weeks old now and about 25% feathered out. They were in sleeping in as a group in the corner. They seem to be fine now. Did I hurt them?

Also, I gave them summer squash as a treat this afternon and now someone has diarrhea. Do you think maybe this treat was too rich and it will work itself out of its system? How should I treat this? Do I need to worry about the others?

Thanks!

 

[Emzyyy]

LOL its fine! Just make sure its warm enough the squash prob won't hurt them if they get diarrhea just stop giving it to them I suggest yogurt or a little oatmeal. Your a verry protective mommy.

 

[havi]

I would say they are fine. Just to be on the safe side, I would say any time you give them treats let them have some kind of sand or really fine gravel for grit. I always used the bird grit. You can get it at the grocery store in the pet section. I think it was $1.15 a box or so. It will last you forever.

 

[citrusdreams]

How cold did it get and for how long were they without their lamp? Did they look uncomfortable and were shivering, or were they just in a big pile of cozy feathers?

 

[Ridgerunner]

They'll sleep in a pile whether they are cold or not so that doesn't mean anything. If they were not peeping loudly, they were fine. It is best to keep one area of the brooder up to recommended temperatures but they also need to be able to get away from that heat when they want to.

At least they don't have pasty butt if they have diarrhea. Just like with any other animal or with humans, when you change their diet you take a chance of locking them up or really loosening them up. I fully agree with them needing grit and believe you should only offer small amounts of treats until their system gets used to them. Even then, you want them to mostly eat their feed and not just the treats to keep a balanced diet.