Chick with Vent Swelling

[SunnyClucks]

I have a 2.5 week old bantam EE. Seems to be straining or has been straining to poop.Vent is red and swollen, moist. I noticed it about 3 days ago might have been longer. Not lethargic. Eating and drinking like the rest. Poop that I have seen is like others but not as much and seems difficult to pass. Food has been purina Chick starter medicated. Last week I gave them a couple of meal worms and crushed oatmeal, I now that was a mistake. Brooder is proper temp. I have been keeping vent area clean if needed with warm water. She is not as big as some of her sisters no one picks on her. Yesteday I applied some Prep H one time. Did not seem to change any thing. I was going to try a epsom salt bath. How long should she soak? No vet services available. TIA

 

[Echelontheory101]

EDIT: I didnt see your photo initially I would wait for someone more experienced to respond. Mine was just a little swollen yours looks more swollen or potentially a prolapse so unsure if treatment would vary from what I did. Good luck!


I had this last week with one of my Easter eggers. I soaked a cotton pad in warm epsom salt water and left it gently pressed on her bum for about a minute and then wiped any poo away and then I used a q tip to apply a little hydrocortisone cream (outside only i didnt insert the q tip at all as she was just swollen not prolapsed so nothing had to be pushed back in) instead of prep h (the swap was a suggestion from another forum on here) and within 24 hours her vent was right back to normal! I think mine swelled because I rubbed her a little too much the previous day cleaning off poo. You may have to clean her again right after because sometimes the warm water press will stimulate her to poop as soon as you put her back down so just check to make sure she didnt just undo all your work when you put her back.

 

[coach723]

The chick also may be straining due to constipation, which can cause prolapse. Take a tsp of coconut oil, freeze it and break into small pieces and feed it all to her. You can repeat daily for a few days, see if that loosens things up and helps.
I think the suggestion of the epsom salt on a cotton ball is better than soaking the chick. When they're so small it's very easy to chill them, so I'd not want to get them that wet at all. They apply your cortisone, a bit of honey, or vaseline, to help keep it moist and help keep any droppings from sticking. That tissue is very fragile, so being gentle is important.