Chick with prolapsed vent? Please help!

[curiouschelsea]

There are some semi-wild chickens living in my front yard. One of then hens has some young chicks, a few weeks old I think. One of the small chick had a very bad cast of pasty butt. Yesterday I soaked his (or her) but with a warm washcloth then gently removed the poop. His vent was a little bloody but I figured he would be alright now. However today I checked up on him and his vent (or anus) is bulging and seems to be scabbed, or plugged up. I've been searching the site and I think it might be a prolapsed vent but I don't know if that can happen to chicks. I don't really own the chickens, I spread a little bird feed in my yard and make sure the chickens who visit have clean water everyday, but I've become really attached to this little chick. He seems a little lethargic, which simply concerns me even more. I don't have much experience with chickens but I really want to help him. Please help! Any advice would be much appreciated!

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

I actually just had a hen die from prolapse this morning (sorry, not very encouraging but..) Here's a couple of threads to help:

My hen: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/690786/help-danver-hen-with-really-bloody-egg-hanging-out

Chickencuties hen: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/689288/prolapsed-vent-need-help-asap


I hope your chick recovers! That's awesome that you take care of the wild chicks!

 

[azhenhouse]

Hmmm! I don't know if chicks can get a prolapse vent. As far as being lethargic, it could be that he is not getting the nutrition he needs through the birds seed. Poly-vi-Sol really works on chicks. I had two chicks that were treated at the beginning of the season, and they are doing very well today. I put one drop on their beak in the morning and at night. Worked wonders.

 

[roo-many]

I bought my chicks from TSC this spring, and one died the next day from prolapse. I checked the brooder, and her insides were on the outside The TSC people had no idea what to make of it when I called, so they told me to call a hatchery. The hatchery told me that the prolapse was caused by an incomplete formation of the navel (???), and that whatever hatchery TSC got their poults from should never have sent it (to TSC). So, something like a birth defect. That was also one of the ones who came pasty. Again, not very encouraging, but the bottom line is that yes it can happen in chicks. Thumbs up for trying, though. Hope you can help it!

 

[curiouschelsea]

Unfortunately he did not make it through the night. But I thank you all for the advice.

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

I'm so sorry, you did what you could, I'm sure that he was happy.