Chicks with poop stuck in butt and can't seem to push it out

[Cloverr39]

I have 2 little silkie chicks with what looks like poop stuck and they can't poop it out. The poop itself looks soft, so I don't know why they can't poop it out. The butts kind of bulge out (I'm sorry idk how to explain it). How do I help these poor little things?? They both have food in their crops I can feel it. One is still pretty active the other looks pretty tense, dropping wings. I literally just had another silkie chick choke on food and die in my hands like 30 minutes ago, so I really don't want to lose these two. The one that's doing a bit worse is a bit skinnier than the other. Should I maybe try soaking their butts in water?

 

[RoyalChick]

Hopefully others with more experience than I have will respond.
I think that may be pasty butt which is a serious risk to the chicks but not hard to treat.
Take a cotton ball and dampen it with warm water and wipe all that poop off their backsides.
I have only experienced one chick with it and I only had to clean them up once.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Hi, this is called pasty butt and is quite common in baby chicks. It can be serious and lead to death if not treated but don't panic. If the wet cotton ball treatment doesn't help, you'll need to get in there a little more actively. I like to wear gloves but it isn't necessary. Take the baby into the bathroom and turn the water on in the sink. You want the water comfortably warm. Get your fingers wet and gently, GENTLY wet the poop ball and soften it till it works loose. Be patient, it may take a while. When done, use a hair dryer set on low to dry the chick. Keep the air flow moving, don't hold it directly on the chick or you may overheat the baby. When it's clean and dry return it to the brooder and do the next one. When you're all done, wash your hands well with soap. Good luck!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Start with the weaker chick and treat it right away, this chick is in trouble.