Chicks - What should their poop look like?

[Cygnis]

Hello,

I recently (Saturday morning and it's Sunday evening right now) acquired my first two baby chicks - a Light Brahma and a Black Jersey Giant. I'm growing them to be egg layers at some point.

I have been watching their droppings, and recently they have been fluffy-looking and rather watery. When the chicks poop (both of them), they extend their wings and shoot their dropping with a noticeable sound. I did notice a single dropping that was solid and white with a bit of green. Should I be concerned? I keep looking for healthy chick droppings but all I see is for grown birds. The chicks are in the garage and the temperature doesn't go below 50°F at night and 80°F during the day. They do have a temporary white bulb and I have a heating pad under the box. The babies are acting fairly chirpy and pecking at the box non-stop, but the consistency of their droppings has been worrying me. The babies are under constant supervision and they seem to be okay with their behavior but I just don't know.

I have them on medicated chick starter in a plastic feeder and I bought a metal waterer with just filtered water (same the family drinks).

Thank you in advance for all your help and I'll apologize in advance for my neurotic behavior.

 

[bobbieschicks]

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I'm new to chicks - but I do know that when they are very young they poop green at first - especially the 1st day after being born. It goes to brown shades as they get older. From what I've read - bloody stool is bad, but other colors are okay as long as no worms are present. This link to chicken stool pictures may help. http://www.chat.allotment.org.uk/index.php?topic=17568.0

Medicated chick starter was what I put my chicks on as well and the Leghorns at 4weeks old are doing great. The 5 day old chicks I have are doing fine so far as well. You could post under the emergencies, etc topic and see what replies you get.

Sounds like they are in great hands

 

[pixiechick44]

Hey there,when I first got my chicks they did allsorts of different poops.Some were like water some were solid,all kinds of colors.......Now they are 10 weeks old and all is well,as long as there is no blood I wouldnt worry about it......Just sit back and enjoy your new little friends....

 

[Gypsy07]

Most of my chicks have at some time done that raised wing squatting down screwed up eyes loud squirty fart poop thing as well. I even have a photo of one doing it, which is rather funny. Young chicks (less than a week old) seem to do mostly runny green poops, with a bit of white in them. As they get older the poops turn browner and get a bit more solid. Wow. Can't believe I'm advising someone on different consistencies of chickens**t at 1am. Someone get me a psychiatrist! But your chicks sound pretty normal to me...

 

[Cygnis]

Thank you all so much for your help!

They're acting all well - the Light Brahma had a poopy butt which was I took care of - her feathers are still a little wet but otherwise, they're fine.

The poops are now a fluffy green mush which I'm assuming is fine.

I'm already in love with my babies -- when I let them nestle in the crook between my neck and the pillow, they fall asleep and I love it. They're also big fans of perching on my fingers, which is great because when they go potty it doesn't end up on me. : )

Again, thanks a ton!

 

[Elke Beck]

Gypsy07, the world would be a better place if more people knew s**t!

 

[Patricia Jane]

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