Probiotics and Electrolyte question.

[GGsHens]

I have 6 three day old babies. I'm so new, but have been reading for a year. I have a bathtub sized cardboard box, a brooder plate plus a red heat lamp. I have discovered one of them to have a dingleball on its butt... you all call pasty butt... and it may be the heat... so I'm addressing that...and minimizing the red lamp since the brooder plate is there and watching their behavior. THANK YOU FORUM!!!

My question is the electrolytes and probiotics... I only have 6 babies. The directions say to offer fresh water also... but since I only have one watering gizmo for the babies and buying another for the short term... isn't practical..( I have another plan for them when they are a bit older) . my question is... should I offer the doctored water for a few hours and then put fresh back out... or should I put a shallow dish with rocks in the area at the same time? Does it matter as long as they get both. I've measured the "save a chick" packet out to 1/4 teaspoon to a cup... for both electrolytes and probiotics combined... so I don't have to fill the quart each time. THANKS for the help... I'm anxious to do it right...

 

[TropicalBabies]

Hi! Congratulations and great job. Glad you let up on the heat lamp. Unless you see them not coming out from their heat plate you are probably fine with out. Glad you are keeping a good eye, lucky chicks ♡

I usually add my vitamins for a day or so in their water, then switch it out with fresh. I would not offer both at the same time. Your doing great ♡♡♡ good to see you!

 

[rosemarythyme]

What's the temperature in the brooding area? Too much heat can contribute to pasty butt, so if the plate is functioning and the brooding area is over 50F or so, I would consider discontinuing use of the heat lamp, or moving it a lot further away (I don't know if you need it to maintain 50F temperatures or not).

With the electrolytes and probiotics, I would just mix it according to instructions and offer it for the first 48 hrs or so, and if everyone is doing fine and eating well I'd discontinue use. Electrolytes in particular are good for helping with stress but only intended for occasional usage.

 

[GGsHens]

What's the temperature in the brooding area? Too much heat can contribute to pasty butt, so if the plate is functioning and the brooding area is over 50F or so, I would consider discontinuing use of the heat lamp, or moving it a lot further away (I don't know if you need it to maintain 50F temperatures or not).

With the electrolytes and probiotics, I would just mix it according to instructions and offer it for the first 48 hrs or so, and if everyone is doing fine and eating well I'd discontinue use. Electrolytes in particular are good for helping with stress but only intended for occasional usage.

This was new info I didn’t know. I’ve been trying to keep the entire bedroom at 85-90 degrees. The brooder plate is plenty big for all six. Turning off the heat light and the radiator heater in the room. That’ll make it more fun for me to stay in the room with them too.

 

[rosemarythyme]

This was new info I didn’t know. I’ve been trying to keep the entire bedroom at 85-90 degrees. The brooder plate is plenty big for all six. Turning off the heat light and the radiator heater in the room. That’ll make it more fun for me to stay in the room with them too.

Ideally there should be a good range of temperatures in the brooding area - if you think about a mama hen raising her chicks outdoors, the babies are constantly running around and only return to her when they need to warm up. I brood outdoors with a general temp range of mid 40s to 60s, and even at a week old the chicks will constantly be out and about and only dart under their heating pad to nap or sleep. I've had almost no issue with pasty butt setting things up that way.

 

[GGsHens]

Ideally there should be a good range of temperatures in the brooding area - if you think about a mama hen raising her chicks outdoors, the babies are constantly running around and only return to her when they need to warm up. I brood outdoors with a general temp range of mid 40s to 60s, and even at a week old the chicks will constantly be out and about and only dart under their heating pad to nap or sleep. I've had almost no issue with pasty butt setting things up that way.

great information.... thank you.... I think I was definitely overdoing the heat. much more balanced now.... and today is their first full week.... happy birthday day 7!!!! All 6 have made it so far....

 

[silkiegardens]

Probiotics probably aren't going to give you enough results in a short amount of time, electrolytes may not even as well. I reccomend gro gel for short term baby chick health improvement.