We got feed store bantams this morning knowing that they were lost a day in the postal system (should have arrived yesterday morning) put them in with 5 other 3 day old chicks with heat lamp and brooder plate. We have chick crumbles and warm sugar water with Chick Boost (probiotics, vitamins, electrolytes) One of the new bantams after a few hours started to become unsteady, and seems to be straining in her vent. It seems to be protruding a bit. No pasty butt, clean vent, but swollen. We gently stimulated with water, then put a little coconut oil on her vent and tried to get her to eat a little soft coconut oil. She has passed a little poo, just a little, so its not completely blocked if that is even an issue. After reading a few other posts, we put cortisone cream on her vent hoping to reduce the swelling. She cries and gets picked on when we put her with the others, so we've been holding her in warm towels for a while. She seems to also stretch onto her toes instead of crouching down like the others, and sometimes twists her head. I've put her into a raised nest half under the lamp so she is very warm. She did drink on her own this morning, and a little this afternoon. Keeping her somewhat isolated keeps the others from pecking her vent (I read we might put Blue Kote on the vent to change the color) and hoping that rest and heat will help. She is still in the same big kennel with the other chicks and can hear them, which keeps her calm.
Any other suggestions?
