Problems With Baby Chickens

Raising chickens, whether on a farm or in an urban setting, is a popular hobby. Not only are chickens fascinating animals, they provide fresh eggs or meat, depending on your purposes. Their manure composts into rich fertilizer for your garden as well. Keep your chicks healthy, and they'll return the favor.

  1. Pasty Butt

    • If you order baby chicks that must be delivered, they may arrive with an ailment sometimes referred to as 'pasty butt.' The chick's excrement can adhere to the down feathers around their rear ends. This problem should be watched for the first week you have your chickens. Clean promptly, either with a warm, wet cloth, or by pulling the affected down feathers. Pulling the feathers might be slightly painful, but will keep the problem from repeating.

    Newcastle Disease

    • Newcastle is a respiratory disease that can affect chickens of all ages, including babies. It also may spread to humans and other animals. Signs of Newcastle in chicks includes hoarse chirping, swollen face, watery nostril discharge and difficulty breathing. A three to five day course of antibiotics and raising the brooder temperature by five degrees could reduce losses.

    Spraddle Leg

    • Spraddle leg is an ailment that causes the baby chick's legs to splay to the sides, making it impossible to stand. If the problem is not fixed, the chick may die or need to be euthanized. To reverse spraddle leg, use a bandage to hobble the chick's legs until its muscles strengthen. The legs should be secured so that they come straight down from the body. The condition is caused by keeping chicks on a surface that doesn't offer traction. Be sure to fix this problem while correcting with hobbling.