Market Farming

[BBGREGSON AT cs.com]

For the last two years, we've noticed that our chicks in the brooder are 
collecting balls of manure on their little toenails.  We keep adding straw 
and don't allow them to be on wet bedding; their feed is dry organic started 
mash; and they have sand as grit.  This wouldn't be a problem except that the 
balls harden on their feet, are difficult to remove, and cause them some 
minor difficulty in walking until they are big enough to have access to the 
outdoors where they can scratch.

Has anyone else noticed this problem, and, if so, have you found a remedy?

Bonnie Gregson
Island Meadow Farm
VVashon Is., WA