Pasty butt / my solution

[Estrella]

Hi, I have raised close to 100 baby chicks from brooder and the method that I always use to avoid them getting pasty butt is that from day One I give them very fine sand to eat, or sandlike gravel (sifted). They love it, and spend lots of time in the sand container every day, as its their natural behavior to eat grit. So far I’ve had no problems with pasty butt. I am not using heat lamp, I’m using heat plate. If they don’t peck at it themselves, just fry up an egg or run some corn in the blender, sprinkle some sand on it and feed it to them. Hope this can help someone.

 

[Debbie292d]

Thanks for sharing what you do!

It would be important for folks to find out what kind of sand as I do know play sand isn't good for chickens. Something called builders sand or construction grade sand is better.

 

[Estrella]

Hi, I’ve used differnt types of sand, sometimes from the beach (which is very fine here) and sometimes just very finely sifted macadam. I sift it in a small fishing net, works great.

 

[bearcreekbees]

I am confused. How does eating sand prevent them from getting pasty butt?

 

[Estrella]

I am confused. How does eating sand prevent them from getting pasty butt?

It’s essentially baby grit, as all chickens eat gravel/grit for their digestion and if baby chicks get mini grit for their tummies they don’t seem to get pasty butt. Never had that issue since I started giving them this.