Hello again!One of our 5-day-old chicks has runny poop. I've been searching the web but don't seem to find the information I am looking for. I understand that runny poop indicates a serious problem. What should I do?I've bought some medicated starter feed - previously our chicks had been eating unmedicated organic starter feed. Would the medication in the feed help with the loose stool?I've also seperated that one chick from the rest. But after half a day I have reunited them because the lonely chick was chirping so miserably and I wondered if that didn't cause it too much stress, making its recovery harder.I've been changing their paper towels about three times a day. (By the way, when can I stop using the paper towels and just have them ion the wood shavings?)Could it be that we handle our chicks too much? The kids are I are with the chicks several times a day. I thought if we handled them a lot they would become more friendly as hens.I really apprecaite your input! Thank you!Maren
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It's not uncommon for chicks to have someone loose stools. From your description everything sounds normal. I would not handle the chicks more than necessary. In my experience handling them at this early age doesn't help them to become any more friendly, but could cause stress. Often your birds will become much more friendly once they start laying. There seems to be a transition between jerk teenager and kind mature adult. Go figure. :)
I don't have any information on the sick chick, But as for your question about bedding I used pine shavings from the first day I brought them home. Only about an inch thick because I changed it every day. Later I read to use the newspaper the first day or so but I figure mine were probably already two or three days old by the time I bought them.
I'm probably going to stick with the paper towels a bit longer because it makes monitoring their droppings easier. But as soon as they all look good, I'll probably remove it. At times they have managed to lift the paper towels anyhow and scratch in the wood shavings underneath. They seem to have fun with that.
It seems like the one who was acting sick yesterday has gotten better - her droppings don't look as runny anymore. However, now one of the other chicks has somewhat looser droppings than the others. I am wondering if something is going around or if I'm just overracting, being a new mom.
The one I assumed sick yesterday and also the other one today both act(ed) a little more lethargic - resting a bit more than the others. But yesteday's problem child is acting normal today - she is the most curious of the brood, always first to leave the cage when I clean it out, going out to explore.
Well, it's somewhat in between squeezable mustard and water in consistency. I have paper towels in their brooder and the other chicks' droppings are just little piles, this one's droppings spread more on the paper towels indicating they are more liquid - sometimes there's a little pile in the middle and a circle of dried liquid around.
Am I overreacting? I am all new to this, and the books don;t always prep you for real-life scenarios.
I would call the Stock Shop and see what they have to say. I have pet birds, and give them pedialyte when they have problems to combat dehydration. If the baby has runny poop, dehydration would be a real concern. 623-487-9277 is their number. I would separate the chick from the others, make sure it is in a cage with plenty of heat and no drafts and, if you have a stuffed animal or a clean feather duster, put it in with the baby for comfort. Hope this helps.
I like your idea about the stuffed animal or feather duster. When I seperated the chicks from the others earlier it was so miserable, a stuffed companion might help.
Thank you!
I have no information to help you, but just wanted to extend my compassion toward you with a little chick that seems sick. On another note, I'll be interested to read what others have to say and I've been thinking about adding some pullets to my lot.
Blessings....Lylah
Maren > Michael and Lylah LednerMarch 20, 2009 at 12:14pm
Replies
I'm probably going to stick with the paper towels a bit longer because it makes monitoring their droppings easier. But as soon as they all look good, I'll probably remove it. At times they have managed to lift the paper towels anyhow and scratch in the wood shavings underneath. They seem to have fun with that.
It seems like the one who was acting sick yesterday has gotten better - her droppings don't look as runny anymore. However, now one of the other chicks has somewhat looser droppings than the others. I am wondering if something is going around or if I'm just overracting, being a new mom.
The one I assumed sick yesterday and also the other one today both act(ed) a little more lethargic - resting a bit more than the others. But yesteday's problem child is acting normal today - she is the most curious of the brood, always first to leave the cage when I clean it out, going out to explore.
Am I overreacting? I am all new to this, and the books don;t always prep you for real-life scenarios.
I like your idea about the stuffed animal or feather duster. When I seperated the chicks from the others earlier it was so miserable, a stuffed companion might help.
Thank you!
Blessings....Lylah
Maren