Constipated chick?

[RobinT21]

Hi! I am caring for week and a half to 2 week old chicks. All of them came from Rural King with a bit of pasty butt. After a few days, I got them all completely cleaned up and they are pooping well. This morning, I noticed a chick who is having a hard time pooping. She will squat back, start to poop, but then it sounds like gas is escaping, and the poop will recess back into the vent. Her vent is irritated and red. When she tries to poop, she squeaks in distress. I have tried giving her a warm water soak while massaging her vent, but nothing is coming out. I’m worried that if she doesn’t poop soon, she may not make it.

 

[RobinT21]

Hi! I am caring for week and a half to 2 week old chicks. All of them came from Rural King with a bit of pasty butt. After a few days, I got them all completely cleaned up and they are pooping well. This morning, I noticed a chick who is having a hard time pooping. She will squat back, start to poop, but then it sounds like gas is escaping, and the poop will recess back into the vent. Her vent is irritated and red. When she tries to poop, she squeaks in distress. I have tried giving her a warm water soak while massaging her vent, but nothing is coming out. I’m worried that if she doesn’t poop soon, she may not make it.

Note, she is eating nutrena chick starter with access to grit, and water with chick electrolytes

 

[MysteryChicken]

Offer some coconut oil. It'll help her poop.

 

[RobinT21]

Offer some coconut oil. It'll help her poop.

Should I offer it in liquid or just as some clumps?

 

[MysteryChicken]

Should I offer it in liquid or just as some clumps?

Chunks preferably. You may have to hand feed, if she don't eat it on her own.

 

[3KillerBs]

Also, make wet mash from her feed and offer plain water as well as electrolytes.

Too much electrolyte can be counterproductive. Imagine having nothing but Gatorade to drink!

 

[RobinT21]

Chunks preferably. You may have to hand feed, if she don't eat it on her own.

Thanks so much for this advice! Have given this to a couple of chicks to help them out and it worked wonders. Everyone is doing great!

 

[MottsHomestead]

How is she doing?

 

[RobinT21]

How is she doing?

She is doing wonderful! Very happy and healthy.

 

[MottsHomestead]

She is doing wonderful! Very happy and healthy.

That's amazing! So glad to hear it.