constipation in chicks

[elmo]

Quote:
x2. This is good advice.

If you haven't spotted a pasty butt problem yet (right? you're just worried about there being a potential problem), I'd say the best thing to do is nothing but check little butts every day. I'm of the "if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it" school. Adding a dairy product to a chick's diet when there's no indication for it introduces the possiblity that something could go wrong with that...yogurt if mixed with feed and left out too long can spoil, you could end up giving too much, etc.

 

[elmo]

Quote:
I had this problem with one of our chicks right after she moved outside, too. She'd gorged on the sand in the run. It was only one episode, and I caught it within 24 hours so it didn't repeat, thankfully.

Is yours pasting up repeatedly? If so, I'd try the yogurt, just a little mixed in with the chick feed and any uneaten removed after an hour or so to avoid spoilage. As others here have noted, a little vegetable oil put on the outside of the vent can sometimes help things not to stick there.

 

[kasey08]

Hello. Just found this thanks to a friend. My chicks are having really hard poop. I had one die 2 days ago it look like it had hemorrhoids, its vent was poking out. I have have seen this about 5 times since then. I lightly pinched there vent and had hard poop fall out. They seem fine for a while not like the first one. I have given them boiled eggs and its not helping. I will try yogurt tonight. Is there anything else to do?

 

[kasey08]

Anyone? they are still having this problem

 

[susannemw]

Quote:
How about a little powdered probiotics sprinkled on their food if they won't eat the yogurt? I have opened a capsule of it and sprinkled it in with their regular chick starter food, and they are none the wiser. Its the same flora as in yogurt, minus the yogurt part.

 

[Nicole01]

Someone here helped me and they told me to give probios. 1/4 tsp per 4 cups water. I bought it on amazon and received the product the very next day! Since then the chicks has had perfect poop every time! Probios gives them a healthly digestive system.

 

[lady feathers]

For those dealing with the pasty butt issue, be diligent in chekcing butts at least once a day so they don't get backed up, toxins will build up and can kill the chicks within a few days if they can't move it through.... good news is that usually within a few days to about a week most will be done with it (although I still check regularly). Some breeds are more prone to it (i.e. silkies, etc...). Lots of things can cause/add to the problem, temps, change in feed, dehydration, and stress from shipping. Keep with it -warm baths on their butt help, but be sure the chicks are dried as best you can so they don't become chilled once their bath is over. Something to try is to use a lube/oil, but also to CAREFULLY trim some butt fuzz so the poo isn't getting caught up on the way down. This might leave some bare bums and you will have to watch for picking before real feather comes in, but if you are in a bad situation and chicks are becoming seriously ill/lethargic, weigh your options!

As for the chicks on newspaper, I agree get them on some bedding. Not only for the risk of splayed legs.... but, I'm not sure how well regulated the temps would be in a metal tub. Fluctuations in temp may add to stress making the poo issue worse.

Kasey08, try putting something like lube on their little butts and gently work it around.... might help to soften the area so it can strecth and pass what's already backed up, while getting them to try without straining too hard. Also, put some on anyone who looks like they have hemorrhoids as it may help the tissue to be draw back in on it's own, and keep things clear for more.