chick prolapse? (after pasty butt? ) *pictures* ... Help Please

[kimb]

I picked up 8 silkie chicks 3 weeks ago from the local tack store (4 white, 4 blue) . most of them had pasty butt and had a thorough butt washing ... (2 others needed a 2nd washing) and now 1 that can't seem to kick it - so I brought her in to take pictures (and google) ... I thought maybe prolapse? so I cleaned her up again, and using vaseline and a q-tip gently pushed the top of her "vent" until it went back in ... seemed to look "normal" ... but about 5 seconds later it had pushed back out. I tried a couple times and didn't want to stress her anymore - she's happy, healthy, eating, drinking, pooping - it just stays stuck to the underside of her bum...

ANY clue ? what it is, what to do - if she/he is going to make it ? ... if she's a hen - come egg time is/would there be a problem?

 

[fastpat]

I think that's one of those tough questions to answer. I think I'd make sure to keep an eye on that chick, the others are likely to peck at her cloacal area if they see it. I'd then see if it grows out of it, or in the case it declines, then you'll have the tough decision to make. As long as it is in good health, I'd keep it going.

 

[kimb]

Thanks pat - ... I'd be sure not to let it suffer - but it's fluffy, active & *normal* for all other intents and purposes ... ...

 

[kimb]

bump - for any other ideas/suggestions ?

 

[ggrap]

Is she on medicated feed? Does it smell bad/funny? Since you said she is acting normal it probably isn't disease, but thought I would ask.

 

[kimb]

She's on Poulin Starter:
http://www.poulingrain.com/product_details.php?product_id=84&category_id=5

This starter crumble contains 20% protein and MOS*.
Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein (Min) 20 %
Crude Fat (Min) 3 %
Crude Fiber (Max) 5 %
Calcium (Min) 0.9 %
Calcium (Max) 1.2 %
Phosphorus (Min) 0.6 %
Lysine (Min) 1 %
Methionine (Min) 0.35 %
Salt (Min) 0.3 %
Salt (Max) 0.4 %

*MOS: Is a natural product containing Mannonoligosahrides and Beta Glucans. These natural compounds help to prevent infection and spread of disease-causing bacteria by natural stimulation of the animals immune system and binding toxins. MOS has been proven effective in cattle, swine, poultry, rabbit, pet foods, and many others. Extensive research has proven MOS to be effective in diets with or without growth promoters.

~
I don't smell anything bad from her - or any of them ...

~
I brought her in again today - cleaned and tried to push it back in - and it still would just "pulse" back out in a second or 2.

 

[LeghornLisa]

Keep the baby wipes handy and clean her a few times a day. The pasting is a result from the stress of the shipping. If you incubate your own egg they don't paste up. Go figure...use the baby wipes and keep an eye that the other are not pecking at it. I had one chick (Golden Campine) I was alway dipping her back side in warm water and soap. Make sure you have a red light in the brooder to prevent pecking. That's all I have...if something prolapsed, not sure about that...anyone? Good luck and please keep us posted.

 

[kimb]

Thanks Lisa - they are under a red lamp (they're brooder it outside) so at night the red lamp is FULL power and for the day - they have a red & clear heat lamp on turned down to half power (on dimmer switch). temps stay around 85 - with plenty of room to be under direct heat - or spread out else where ... or cuddle - for the most part they "disperse" among the brooder - and use each other for the occasional pillow

So far, none of them peck at her ... the most active/dominant silkies spend most of their time challenging their "older sisters" a buttercup & a whiterock that are a week older them them

...

... but I will most definitely watch out for them pecking ... it doesn't look so bad with her "feathers" all fluffed up but it still is - what it is ...

She is the smallest and most docile of the 10 of them ... I have a dozen eggs (shipped) expected to be hatched from my broody - due the 30th of d'uccles and bantam cochins

(YEAAAAA) so if these guys get too rambunctious - I can try to put her with them

I should mention that they got vitamin/electrolyte water for the first week - then 3x a week - and now they get it 1-2x a week - switching that up with nutri-drench in their water ...

Should I go to medicated starter?

 

[kimb]

ooopps sorry - double posted x(

 

[M@M@2four]

I would make a mixture of medicated A&D(the gold kind) ointment(the kind for diaper rashes) and a little bit of preparation H(used for hemorrhoids. and gentle rub it on the prolapse. If you don't have A&D, you can use a little vaseline, but the prep H is key, so if you don't have that, I would get some just to keep it handy even for future with chickens. I had this happen a few times with chicks and used this and always had success...never had to put a chick down due to it. You want to keep her back end lubricated, so the poo doesn't dry out on top of it. Good luck!