5 wk old chick straining to poop

[jnichs426]

Hi, I have 5 wk old RIR that has been straining to poop on and off for the last 3 wks and more consistently for the past wk. She makes loud noises when she poops and it gets stuck halfway out and she will peck at it and continue to strain until it comes out. When this first started my local feed store recommended grit and adding probiotics to the water, this seemed to help initially by making the poop really soft. Now though she seems to have normal looking poops not too hard not to soft but continues to strain, her vent looks pink and swollen(at least much larger than the other chicks, ive attached pictures) She is otherwise happy eats, drinks, dirt bathes, runs and plays with the other ones. I will add she does always seem to puff her feathers out more than the other though. I am giving Dumor's chick starter, Dumors grit and using sav-a-chick probiotic in the water. Looking forward to seeing what folks have to say, just trying to be proactive and avoid a serious problem, remaining optimistic for now cause she otherwise seems pretty happy except when pooping. Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

5 wk old RIR that has been straining to poop on and off for the last 3 wks and more consistently for the past wk. She makes loud noises when she poops and it gets stuck halfway out and she will peck at it and continue to strain until it comes out.

She is otherwise happy eats, drinks, dirt bathes, runs and plays with the other ones. I will add she does always seem to puff her feathers out more than the other though. I am giving Dumor's chick starter, Dumors grit and using sav-a-chick probiotic in the water.

Can you post some photos of her as a whole and her poop?

I would give her some mineral oil or coconut oil to see if that helps.
For a swollen vent, soak her in a warm epsom salts bath to help reduce swelling. For the redness, apply a little coconut oil or anti-inflammatory cream.

She also have quite a bit of redness along the tail feathers, is she being picked at or plucked by the other chicks? Where are you keeping her?

If possible, I would get take some poop samples to your vet to check for Coccidiosis as well.

 

[jnichs426]

Hi, thanks for the response I have added some more photos.

I will try the coconut oil and the Epsom salt bath and let you know how it goes.
I have never seen her being picked on by the other, She does pick at her back end herself when having trouble getting it all out. They are outside most of the day while its warm but its dipping down to like 57 at night so I bring them inside.

I will also add that she does seem to be growing slower than the other ones now that I notice. Also the pics I added where she is mid poop this lasted maybe 10-15 seconds which a big improvement from before. Hopefully, she's getting better, thanks for the advice and appreciate your help.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have never seen her being picked on by the other, She does pick at her back end herself when having trouble getting it all out. They are outside most of the day while its warm but its dipping down to like 57 at night so I bring them inside.

I will also add that she does seem to be growing slower than the other ones now that I notice. Also the pics I added where she is mid poop this lasted maybe 10-15 seconds which a big improvement from before.

Aww, she's cute! Poor little thing is struggling isn't she
Definitely try the coconut oil/mineral oil.
You can also try offering her chick starter as a wet mash - just mix warm water with feed and let it soak for about 30 minutes, I would go with a soupier consistency.

Do you provide grit for your chicks?

 

[jnichs426]

Aww, she's cute! Poor little thing is struggling isn't she
Definitely try the coconut oil/mineral oil.
You can also try offering her chick starter as a wet mash - just mix warm water with feed and let it soak for about 30 minutes, I would go with a soupier consistency.

Do you provide grit for your chicks?

Yes, I do provide grit.

Hey, just wanted to say thanks for the advice. She seems to be doing a lot better, less red and swollen with the Epsom salt soaks. I started adding water to the food and did a few days of coconut oil which has helped but she still seems prone to getting things stuck coming out, does not squawk so much anymore just sort of lets it happens. I guess she is just sensitive to getting constipated? hopefully its just something she grows out of, for now, she seems to be doing ok though, thanks again.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Yes, I do provide grit.

Hey, just wanted to say thanks for the advice. She seems to be doing a lot better, less red and swollen with the Epsom salt soaks. I started adding water to the food and did a few days of coconut oil which has helped but she still seems prone to getting things stuck coming out, does not squawk so much anymore just sort of lets it happens. I guess she is just sensitive to getting constipated? hopefully its just something she grows out of, for now, she seems to be doing ok though, thanks again.

Glad to hear she's doing better! I hope it's something she grows out of as well.