Constipated chick with swollen vent

[iopele]

Hey guys, anyone know what to do for a constipated chick? I seem to remember reading a thread about it but have searched and can't find it. Something about molasses...? Domino's trying to poop, squats and wiggles his butt, chirping loudly, but nothing's coming out. His vent's really red and swollen and hard, too.

(btw he's rumpless which also makes his rear look funny at the best of times)

This is my favorite chick and I don't want to lose him! Right now his energy level seems just about normal, apart from being uninterested in food. What can I do before he gets weak? I know chicks can die of this and I want to help him out! Any ideas?

 

[MissPrissy]

Try some molasas or kayro syrup in the water. The sugar pulls more water into the intestines and helps to evacuate the bowels. I would suggest a little vasoline or A&D ointment around the backside to protect and sooth as well.

 

[iopele]

Thanks Miss Prissy--I'll make some sugar-water and I'll find the Vaseline. I've got him separated in a box right beside me with a waterer and used a syringe to dribble water into his mouth, which he drank really well.

You know, when I first decided to get some chickens, I never thought I'd be dealing with this! It's almost funny, if only my baby wasn't so miserable.

 

[iopele]

We have poop!

On the Emergencies thread, Alleyoops suggested a few drops of mineral oil. I didn't have any, so I gave Domino a few drops of olive oil instead. It took about 45 minutes and then (with a little help from me to wipe out something that seemed stuck in the vent) whoosh. He's already looking like he feels MUCH better--walking around and chirping, and drinking from the waterer on his own. YAY!

 

[iopele]

Update for those who asked--

Domino seems to be doing fine this morning! His vent looks normal, like the prolapsed rectum has gone back in. He's eating and drinking, and just now I gave them all a crumbled egg yolk in my hand and he was right in the middle of the feeding frenzy (I swear it's like watching fluffy little pirhanas, lol) making sure he got his share. He's still a little tired-looking--eyes not fully open, sort of half-sleepy looking--but I think he's going to be fine.

Thanks again, everyone!

 

[MTchick]

One of mine had this problem chronically for about a week (maybe two? I forget). Anyway, I'd keep an eye on him because it may reoccur. I found that consistently force feeding her molasses drops really help keep it in check until the problem cleared itself up eventually.

I tried olive oil, too. Seemed to help- I squirted in her mouth with a dental syringe and she was angry about that! Molasses seemed to suit her better.

-MTchick

 

[iopele]

Yes, Domino wasn't a big fan of the olive oil either--I squirted it into his beak with a medication syringe and he was NOT happy. On his second or third poop, he passed a large rock--I'm sure he got it from the grit, and it was just too big to come back out. Since that came out, he's really gotten better and I've caught him pooping a few times when I'm watching the babies. Today he's just as active as everyone else and chirping away happily!

 

[Eldora80s]

We're having this issue right now with a 1 week old we got in a variety pack we ordered online. We've been raising chickens for 2 years now and are always OCD about keeping their little bottoms clean to avoid the risks that go along with pasty butt. But this little fella is having constipation issues anyway. Google searches for suggestions for how to help him just kept bring up how to clean the pasty butt and not really providing info for treating constipation. Your post is the only one I found that mentioned it. I've read the replies. We don't have molasses at the moment but we do have olive oil so I'm going to try that to see if it helps him. We've tried everything else and nothing has worked for him. He's drinking water every few minutes so dehydration doesn't worry me too much but he's definitely uncomfortable, complaining a lot, and won't sleep laying down like the others. Instead he stands and leans his head and side against the brooder wall when he naps. We're going on day 3 and I'm afraid if he doesn't pass it soon he's going to fall over and pass. Here's hoping the olive oil will help.