WORRIED! 2-3 day old chick drinking a TON!

[duckking]

Just got 3 chicks and my Speckled Sussex is drinking constantly. When she poops, it looks like brownish solid stuff in the middle but then there is a big clear wet spot around it. She was totally normal with normal poop all day. This just started tonight. I don't think it's too hot. They other chicks are sleeping happily under the lamp and she with them. Food and water is at the other 'cool' end. Any ideas? I've seen ducklings drink like that, but not chicks. WORRIED. We just picked them up yesterday......

 

[N&MSchroeder]

This is interesting. I was on a chat thread a few days ago where we were discussing how our speckled sussex chicks had pasty butt. Maybe this chick has figured out how to prevent this.

As long as she can get away from the heat, I would watch and see if anything changes.

 

[duckking]

She pooped 3 times in a row with the clear spot around it over about 10 mins. drinking in-between and now she's fast asleep with the others under the light. She's eating like a pig though and very perky.

She keeps getting up to drink and then have this poop and then eats and then lies down....over and over....never had a chick do anything like that before! I've had them fail to thrive, but then they aren't eating or drinking anything.....

 

[duckking]

I checked the poop guide...love it. It says too hot or not eating enough. She's eating well, so if she's too hot, then why doesn't she move somewhere cooler? She probably wants to be with the other chicks who don't seem to be too hot at all. So what do I do if she's hot but the others aren't? Or could it be something else?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[lady feathers]

I am fairly new to this whole chick thing... but I do have a 4 speckled sussex that are just over 4 weeks old now. I can tell you that mine too spend alot of time around the waterer, however I think their poo should generally have white in/on it not be clear.... perhaps she is just flushing something, keep an eye out for the pasty butt for sure warm bath under the faucet if you find any and it should clear up within a few days though. Otherwise if she is perky and happy I would guess she is just extra thirsty .... if she is too hot she will get up and move. Most of my chicks (100+) like to huddle and use each other for pillows, but I have many that prefer their own space and sleep alone-she will if she needs to! Good Luck!