2 wk Chick tail. Is this normal?

[NorthwoodsChick]

2 wk runt, male bielefelder. He has a prolapsed vent and bald butt. Had pasty butt. I put Vaseline in area to keep moist.blu Kote spray to ‘hide’ the area from others. He is sometimes pecked when out but is not shy. He has no real tail feathers like his same age flock mates. Overall is runty, only a few feather sprouts on shoulders otherwise still a fluff ball.
Today I noticed a white firm ?pin thing at the base of tail. Is that a pin feather?
Should I be more worried about him getting pecked?

 

[tripletfeb]

@azygous @Wyorp Rock

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Poor little guy.
I'm not sure what the white thing is, can you get a better photo of it. It looks close to where the oil gland should be, but I doubt that's what we are seeing.

Yes, I would be more concerned about him getting picked at. Getting picking damage to the vent will just compound the healing process.
I'd try giving a daily soak in an epsom salts bath. Dry him well, then apply an anti-inflammatory cream to help reduce swelling. Do keep the tissue a bit moist with cream, ointment, oil, honey, etc.

Is he having a hard time pooping? Wet mash (chick starter) would be good to give. Keep him hydrated.
His abdomen looks a bit fullish, but it could be the angle and missing fluff as well. Being runty, he could be failure to thrive, but I'd keep on him about eating, getting some vitamins into him daily, tend to the prolapse and see how he does. As far as the feathers go time will tell on those too. If he was picked and plucked, they may be slower to come in.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

Poor little guy.
I'm not sure what the white thing is, can you get a better photo of it. It looks close to where the oil gland should be, but I doubt that's what we are seeing.

Yes, I would be more concerned about him getting picked at. Getting picking damage to the vent will just compound the healing process.
I'd try giving a daily soak in an epsom salts bath. Dry him well, then apply an anti-inflammatory cream to help reduce swelling. Do keep the tissue a bit moist with cream, ointment, oil, honey, etc.

Is he having a hard time pooping? Wet mash (chick starter) would be good to give. Keep him hydrated.
His abdomen looks a bit fullish, but it could be the angle and missing fluff as well. Being runty, he could be failure to thrive, but I'd keep on him about eating, getting some vitamins into him daily, tend to the prolapse and see how he does. As far as the feathers go time will tell on those too. If he was picked and plucked, they may be slower to come in.

Thanks for the reply. I will keep on him. He seems prone to dry stool so I have been giving him a wetter wet mash separate from the others.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks for the reply. I will keep on him. He seems prone to dry stool so I have been giving him a wetter wet mash separate from the others.

Is he drinking well? Electrolytes for a 1/2 day may be good, then switch to plain water.
If he's having trouble with dry stool, I would give him a little coconut oil twice a day too.
I like to give small chunks of hardened coconut since you do risk aspiration giving liquid oil. You could mix a bit coconut oil in his feed if you wish, this may help things move along a little more smoothly.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

Is he drinking well? Electrolytes for a 1/2 day may be good, then switch to plain water.
If he's having trouble with dry stool, I would give him a little coconut oil twice a day too.
I like to give small chunks of hardened coconut since you do risk aspiration giving liquid oil. You could mix a bit coconut oil in his feed if you wish, this may help things move along a little more smoothly.

I read where you or azygous recommended coconut oil to others so I started adding it on Sunday. He is getting enriched water mixed with mash twice as day and has access to plain water. Chick is doing better by this AM. His vent is MUCH less swollen and softer. He still gets his lube jobs, too. Stools are coming easier for him and look normal consistency.
I do have two GLW that are about a week older, and much larger, dominating the entire brooder. Lil guy is not a regular target (yet) but I will be separating out the GLW to bring them down a notch in the interest of all. I will try to get pics after work this evening.
Thanks, again!!!