Constipation?

[hokankai]

So my bantam cochin chick, Violet, is going through a weird stage. She acts like she's constipated and I don't know what to do to help her. She'll stand up like a rooster, wings slightly away from her body, and make this weird chirping noise....obviously trying to poop. The only poop that comes out is a little chunk, and then she'll preen around her vent. It's almost as if her poo is getting bigger but her vent isn't big enough yet.

Is this dangerous? I had one of my EE chicks go through this phase too, but I was able to softly squeeze behind the stool and help her poop. Well, Violet is too small for that, haha.

Anything I can do to help her move things along? She doesn't seem to be in pain or anything from it...but I imagine it's quite uncomfortable

 

[Yay Chicks!]

I'm guessing you probably already checked for pasty butt. Is she getting plenty of water? Eating anything other than her crumbles that might be different?

 

[hokankai]

They get crumbles, scratch, and various treats now. She's 9 weeks old now and has been having treats for awhile. She recently had some watermelon and cantaloupe...could the melon have done it?

 

[Yay Chicks!]

I wouldn't imagine that it was the melon, but I'm not sure what would give a chick constipation

 

[ranchhand]

Is she getting any grit? It's VERY important once you start treats.

 

[hokankai]

Quote:
Oooh yes. I have a sand bath in there for them that they use regularly, and I throw chick grit in there for them to pick through.

I just checked her over and the feathers around her vent look clean, but moist like she's been preening or something. I also saw her poop and it was normal, albeit a little large. I'll keep an eye on her though.

 

[AccentOnHakes]

Try some pumpkin.