Chick chirping loudly while pooping

[Ihavenoideaee]

It seems difficult to get a baby chick's beak open. It's so tiny for one thing, and they do manage to keep it surprisingly shut tight. It's also natural to worry you will hurt the chick by forcing the beak open, but it won't.

It can be done! If you really want to make it easier, appoint a helper. One of you holds the chick and does the hard work of prying open the beak while the helper slips the tiny slivers of solid coconut oil into the beak.

To get the beak open, hold the chick with one hand while slipping a fingernail into the beak with the other. You aren't going to pry it open too far, just enough to slide the oil sliver into the right side of the beak. The one holding the chick's beak open will then let the chick close the beak and swallow.

Points to remember: The chick's esophagus is on the right side of its throat (it's right, not yours) so introducing oil or water or food is safest from the right side. The second is the chick has to close its beak to swallow. Get at least half a teaspoon of oil into it. You can give it another half teaspoon it necessary.

Also, This morning it seems she now has diarrhea so no more loud chirping but should I maybe be worried about coccidiosis?

 

[aart]

Also, This morning it seems she now has diarrhea so no more loud chirping but should I maybe be worried about coccidiosis?

Was this after you gave some CO?
Pics of poop please.

 

[Ihavenoideaee]

Now she’s back to barely being able to pass stool.....she’s throwing me for a loop. I hate that this is happening to my favorite chick

 

[Ihavenoideaee]

Was this after you gave some CO?
Pics of poop please.

I didn’t give the Coconut oil because I didn’t know how big of pieces to give (I’m glad I didn’t because I was thinking way too big).

 

[azygous]

The coconut oil quickly turns to liquid inside the chicks mouth, so it isn't going to choke. To do any good you have to get at least half a teaspoon in.

This can be a life threatening issue. You need to muster the courage to treat your chick or maybe lose it.

 

[Ihavenoideaee]

The coconut oil quickly turns to liquid inside the chicks mouth, so it isn't going to choke. To do any good you have to get at least half a teaspoon in.

This can be a life threatening issue. You need to muster the courage to treat your chick or maybe lose it.

I got some coconut oil in her and she had diarrhea again but then went back to chirping loudly while trying to poop. I haven’t seen her drinking water (however I’m not always there watching) so I definitely think that’s part of the problem. Is there anything I can put in the water to convince her to start drinking again?

 

[azygous]

Chicks and even chickens can get out of the habit of drinking when they aren't feeling well. Try dipping her beak. That often gets them started.

Second thing you can try is red Gatoraid. It is attractive to chickens because of the color, and the sweetness and slightly salty taste can get them drinking. The electrolytes can be useful if she's dehydrated.

If you have no Gatoraid, try mixing a little warm sugar water with a pinch of salt with a drop of red food coloring. It will serve as a decent substitute for Gatoraid.

In extreme cases, it can be necessary to syringe the water directly into the esophagus. It's easier than it may seem.

 

[aart]

In extreme cases, it can be necessary to syringe the water directly into the esophagus. It's easier than it may seem.

Read this first tho...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...dications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/
...easy to 'drown' them.

 

[Ihavenoideaee]

Chicks and even chickens can get out of the habit of drinking when they aren't feeling well. Try dipping her beak. That often gets them started.

Second thing you can try is red Gatoraid. It is attractive to chickens because of the color, and the sweetness and slightly salty taste can get them drinking. The electrolytes can be useful if she's dehydrated.

If you have no Gatoraid, try mixing a little warm sugar water with a pinch of salt with a drop of red food coloring. It will serve as a decent substitute for Gatoraid.

In extreme cases, it can be necessary to syringe the water directly into the esophagus. It's easier than it may seem.

I read that molasses in warm water could help. Is this worth trying or no?

 

[swamphiker]

A second set of hands is super helpful for getting coconut oil inside of a chick. We had an easier time giving melted coconut oil using a syringe with the needle removed. One person opened and held open the beak, while the other administered the coconut oil, one drop at a time.

One reason the chick could be constipated is due to dehydration. To encourage increased water intake, you can try mixing up their feed with water and offer that to the chicks. Ours loved it and it's an easy way to make sure that they are getting water. Be sure your brooder isn't too hot, as that can cause dehydration.