Weird brown stuff on chick’s nails

[Isaac 0]

Those are manure balls often caused because there is excess waste in their brooder, which cause's the chick to repeatedly step on the poop, and overtime can buildup to a "ball' like you're seeing. Suprisilying these balls don't resemble poop very much and can get very hard almost like concrete.

These balls need to be taken off or they can subsequently lead to infection of the surrounding tissue or can cause skeletal damage of the toes, and feet as it often becomes hard for the chick to walk.

Repeat this process as many times as it's needed, but you'll need to fill a little tub with warm water, and let the chicks foot, not body, soak in there for a few minutes to loosen up the poop. Gently tease your fingers away at the poop while doing so. Not a fun process by any means. but it needs to be taken care of.

https://the-chicken-chick.com/when-baby-chicks-need-pedicure-manure/

 

[Antomongis]

Those are manure balls often caused because there is excess waste in their brooder, which cause's the chick to repeatedly step on the poop, and overtime can buildup to a "ball' like you're seeing. Suprisilying these balls don't resemble poop very much and can get very hard almost like concrete.

These balls need to be taken off or they can subsequently lead to infection of the surrounding tissue or can cause skeletal damage of the toes, and feet as it often becomes hard for the chick to walk.

Repeat this process as many times as it's needed, but you'll need to fill a little tub with warm water, and let the chicks foot, not body, soak in there for a few minutes to loosen up the poop. Gently tease your fingers away at the poop while doing so. Not a fun process by any means. but it needs to be taken care of.


View attachment 2382705

https://the-chicken-chick.com/when-baby-chicks-need-pedicure-manure/

Thank you so much for your help!! I really appreciate this. I am trying to soak his feet but he hates it and makes it as difficult as possible. any tips?

 

[Isaac 0]

Thank you so much for your help!! I really appreciate this. I am trying to soak his feet but he hates it and makes it as difficult as possible. any tips?

It's likely causing him some discomfort so that's fairly normal, and depending on how much you handle him, he may just be stressed. I would continue to soak the feet to the best of your ability, but in addition to soaking, you could try applying some type of oil substance like coconut oil, or an ointment, to the balls. Over time, that will help loosen the gunk to the point it will come off easier in the water.

 

[Antomongis]

It's likely causing him some discomfort so that's fairly normal, and depending on how much you handle him, he may just be stressed. I would continue to soak the feet to the best of your ability, but in addition to soaking, you could try applying some type of oil substance like coconut oil, or an ointment, to the balls. Over time, that will help loosen the gunk to the point it will come off easier in the water.

I handle them very very often. Ok I will try oil. The conditions he was in at the farm were probably not great, as he hatched 10 chicks and had them in a small brooder all together. The runt that I took to foster was stepped on and injured too.

 

[Antomongis]

It's likely causing him some discomfort so that's fairly normal, and depending on how much you handle him, he may just be stressed. I would continue to soak the feet to the best of your ability, but in addition to soaking, you could try applying some type of oil substance like coconut oil, or an ointment, to the balls. Over time, that will help loosen the gunk to the point it will come off easier in the water.

thanks for all your help!

 

[Isaac 0]

I handle them very very often. Ok I will try oil. The conditions he was in at the farm were probably not great, as he hatched 10 chicks and had them in a small brooder all together. The runt that I took to foster was stepped on and injured too.

Being kept in poor conditions, often cause's manure balls, so that makes sense.

thanks for all your help!

You're welcome. Let us know how the chick does.

 

[Antomongis]

Those are manure balls often caused because there is excess waste in their brooder, which cause's the chick to repeatedly step on the poop, and overtime can buildup to a "ball' like you're seeing. Suprisilying these balls don't resemble poop very much and can get very hard almost like concrete.

These balls need to be taken off or they can subsequently lead to infection of the surrounding tissue or can cause skeletal damage of the toes, and feet as it often becomes hard for the chick to walk.

Repeat this process as many times as it's needed, but you'll need to fill a little tub with warm water, and let the chicks foot, not body, soak in there for a few minutes to loosen up the poop. Gently tease your fingers away at the poop while doing so. Not a fun process by any means. but it needs to be taken care of.


View attachment 2382705

https://the-chicken-chick.com/when-baby-chicks-need-pedicure-manure/

Your reply helped a bunch! I used a nail clipper to cut the manure balls off of his feet. It was a long process but we got them all off so everyone’s happy!

 

[Isaac 0]

Your reply helped a bunch! I used a nail clipper to cut the manure balls off of his feet. It was a long process but we got them all off so everyone’s happy!

Very glad to hear. Just so we can see how the feet look now, could you post a few pictures? It may come in handy for people in the future.

 

[Antomongis]

Very glad to hear. Just so we can see how the feet look now, could you post a few pictures? It may come in handy for people in the future.

I used a pet nail clipper to break down the balls but I was careful not to cut the nails much shorter, as I know birds like them long. He seems a lot more comfortable now but it definitely was not easy!

 

[Isaac 0]

I used a pet nail clipper to break down the balls but I was careful not to cut the nails much shorter, as I know birds like them long. He seems a lot more comfortable now but it definitely was not easy!

Wow, what an improvement. Great job!