Any Tips for Helping a Chicken with Chronic Constipation?

[AmyJane725]

Hey guys,

I was wondering if anyone has experience with a chicken having chronic constipation and if there's anything that can help it?

My poor little crippled roo, Limpy Jr., has more problems than you can shake a stick at, and while I don't think this one will kill him necessarily, it breaks my heart to see him in pain trying to poop. He has a heart condition, and I worry he's going to give himself a heart attack straining too hard. In case it's relevant, he's a 2.5 year old Blue Laced Red Wyandotte bantam.

Now, he does successfully poop multiple times a day, and he's not in agony every time. It's just that sometimes he really struggles. He splays his legs out super wide, shakes his butt, closes his eyes, makes straining noises (that air moving under pressure sound? Not sure how to describe it), and sometimes he makes sounds that are for sure saying that he is in pain (I just call it crying).

Is there anything I can do to help him? He's an indoor chicken, so I'm totally in control of what he eats and everything, and I can give him supplements as needed. (Though anything I don't have to force feed him would be better. He FIGHTS like his life is on the line if you try to even open his mouth to look in there or syringe in meds)

 

[WIchickMama]

What does he eat for food?

What do his poops look like?

Have you given any supplements at all? Coconut oil might be a good start.

 

[AmyJane725]

What does he eat for food?

What do his poops look like?

Have you given any supplements at all? Coconut oil might be a good start.

He eats Nature's Best Organic Chick Starter/Grower Crumbles:

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...ck-starter-grower-crumbles-40-lb?cm_vc=-10005

Poops look normal. Brown and white (sometimes green if I give him spinach). Some are dryer than others. But nothing crazy.

I haven't given him anything yet. I was wondering about coconut oil, but wasn't sure if it would help/how much to give/if I should be worried about feeding it to him regularly since it's pure saturated fat.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Yes, coconut oil will help soften, & slicken things. It's best to feed him harden chunks.

Also, make sure he's well hydrated.

You can give milk, since they're naturally lactose intolerant, it'll make his poop extra runny.

Another thing that may help, I'd boost his probiotics if he's not getting much. It may help if it's a digestive issue. You can get save a chick probiotics from the feed store.

Feed a wet mash, he'll get liquids this way too, & it may loosen his stool.

 

[AmyJane725]

Yes, coconut oil will help soften, & slicken things. It's best to feed him harden chunks.

Also, make sure he's well hydrated.

You can give milk, since they're naturally lactose intolerant, it'll make his poop extra runny.

Another thing that may help, I'd boost his probiotics if he's not getting much. It may help if it's a digestive issue. You can get save a chick probiotics from the feed store.

Feed a wet mash, he'll get liquids this way too, & it may loosen his stool.

When you put the probiotics in the water does it have to be changed daily, or is it fine to just leave it?

 

[MysteryChicken]

When you put the probiotics in the water does it have to be changed daily, or is it fine to just leave it?

I would change once dirty. But you can change it daily.
I believe there's instructions on the back that says to change it Daily though. Haven't used it in awhile. I need to stock up.

 

[ChickNanny13]

You should try fermenting his feed (extra moisture) and Horizontal Water Nipples (no leaking & stays clean.

 

[AmyJane725]

You should try fermenting his feed (extra moisture) and Horizontal Water Nipples (no leaking & stays clean.

I've got the horizontal nipples going on already (for my indoor and outdoor chickens).

How would I go about fermenting his feed?

 

[NatJ]

You should try fermenting his feed (extra moisture)

If the only point is to add moisture, fermenting is not needed.

Just adding water to his feed will do fine, without waiting the additional time for it to ferment.

How would I go about fermenting his feed?

Wet mash is chicken food & water. (Someone suggested that earlier in the thread.)

Fermented feed is chicken food & water, and then it is allowed to sit for some amount of time (usually several days) so it ferments. I've never personally done it, but some people like to, and they say their chickens like it better and digest the food more easily.