Constipation in 3 week old chicks

[Bethend]

I have chicks being brooded in the house since their hen rejected them. The weather was hot enough to put them out in the grass under the wire top of a hamster cage (with a brick on top of course) so they can scratch in the dirt for a few hours. The last few days have been raining, so they've been inside.
Since last night, two have become constipated. and this morning have messy bums. What is safe for constipation at this age? It's still raining, so no outside.

 

[ChickNanny13]

What makes you think they're constipated?
How are you keeping them indoors?
Are they under heat?
What are you feeding?
Are you supplying them with grit?

Pasty butts can be from stress, too warm, too much treats ... You could put some ACV with Mother in their water (1T/gal). Wash their bums off with warm water & a rag, softly drying.

 

[nightowl223]

What makes you think they're constipated?
How are you keeping them indoors?
Are they under heat?
What are you feeding?
Are you supplying them with grit?

Pasty butts can be from stress, too warm, too much treats ... You could put some ACV with Mother in their water (1T/gal). Wash their bums off with warm water & a rag, softly drying.

It can also be caused by being too chilled, as well, especially in younger chicks. I agree with trying the ACV, and washing their bottoms gently.

 

[Bethend]

Besides the messy bums, their vents are protruding and they're squatting without passing anything.

This is the first time we've had chicks indoors, and we had to get them in fast on day 1 because the hen attacked and killed two. A friend showed us how to rig up a brooder with a hamster cage we already had, hot water bottle under and a light bulb above. They've been eating a mix of oats and chick crumb

 

[ChickNanny13]

Stop the oats, just Chick Starter for feed. Get some grit for them.

 

[nightowl223]

Besides the messy bums, their vents are protruding and they're squatting without passing anything.

This is the first time we've had chicks indoors, and we had to get them in fast on day 1 because the hen attacked and killed two. A friend showed us how to rig up a brooder with a hamster cage we already had, hot water bottle under and a light bulb above. They've been eating a mix of oats and chick crumb

Get something on those protruding vents, as soon as they're clean! Whether it's olive oil, or vegetable oil, or vaseline, it doesn't matter - just something to make sure the parts that should be internal on the cloaca don't dry out. That would likely be fatal. And coat your finger, too, so you don't stick to the protruding tissue, and gently try to coax the tissue back inside.

If I recall correctly, a bit of molasses helps with constipation in chicks. I don't know if it's safe for poults, though. Ugh - sorry, I'm on another thread with some little poults, too - the molasses is safe for chicks. I need to get off here and go to bed.

(Edited because i'm half asleep and forgot something rather important! )
(Edited again because I confused two different threads, and I really need to go to bed)

 

[nightowl223]

Stop the oats, just Chick Starter for feed. Get some grit for them.

This, definitely. If they're outside eating, well, outside stuff, they need the grit to be able to grind up and digest that stuff.

 

[Bethend]

OK, I'll clean and oil them now and get grit when we go to town later.

 

[nightowl223]

OK, I'll clean and oil them now and get grit when we go to town later.

Good. You might pick up some plain yogurt with live cultures as well, and see if they'll eat some. That should also help with digestive issues, too. And the molasses is a good treatment for chicks, though I don't recall the dosage. Sorry about the poult comment - I'm on another thread now, too, about some poults with potential digestive issues, too. And I'm overtired and need to go to bed.

(edited because I really need to get off here, since I'm confusing two threads)

 

[nightowl223]

Okay, I did a bit of looking in my chicken bookmarks and notes, and found the answer...

Try a few drops of karo dark corn syrup - you can use an eyedropper or mix it with their feed. It is milder than the molasses, and will loosten the stool if it is simple constipation.

And I'd still do the yogurt, to, as well as the grit. They sell smaller grit, called chick grit. I would definitely get that if you can!

I hope this helps.