Help! 3 week Chick cant poop!

[s0999697]

Hi everyone,

I need some help trying to figure out how to help this chick. Shes a black silkie, 3 weeks old. She has been trouble pooping (no pasty butt). She cries when she tries to go and it takes her a long time. She eats and drinks normally though she is really small compared to the rest of the flock. The weird thing is her butt protrudes when she tries to poop (see picture). I haven' t seen this before.

Its not pasty butt. And Ive tried diet change, adding stuff to the water to make her drink more, massaging her, hot water baths, oilve oil. Nothing works. Can anyone please please please tell me if they've had this before or any ideas?

Thank you!

Also in the picture you can see the protrusion. Its only like this when she tries to poop. Its not swollen to the touch.

 

[SueT]

What are you feeding? Chick crumbles? Try moistening it. Better yet, ferment it ---add a little apple cider vinegar to the moist feed and let it set overnight....they love it.

 

[s0999697]

Thanks for the suggestion. Yes ive just been feeding her chicken crumbles and occasionally spinach (though she prefers the crumbles). The others can have the apple cider vinegar crumbles too?

 

[ILuvMyFlock]

It could be a prolapsed vent caused by constipation. Maybe try lightly washing the area with warm water or use preparation h or whatever it's called. Maybe also try looking up something that the chicken can take orally to help it go.

 

[SueT]

Yes they can all have it. Look for forums on fermented feed, it's very good for them. Just put a tiny splash of vinegar in.

 

[s0999697]

Yes they can all have it. Look for forums on fermented feed, it's very good for them. Just put a tiny splash of vinegar in.

Great SueT! Thanks!!

 

[s0999697]

It could be a prolapsed vent caused by constipation. Maybe try lightly washing the area with warm water or use preparation h or whatever it's called. Maybe also try looking up something that the chicken can take orally to help it go.

Would a prolapsed vent be out though? Its only like that when she tries to poop. I thought it was a build up at first but its not hardened.

 

[ILuvMyFlock]

Would a prolapsed vent be out though? Its only like that when she tries to poop. I thought it was a build up at first but its not hardened. 

Prolapses can indeed go in and out just like in humans, they can happen sort of rarely from straining. I've heard some people say they push them back in the chickens bottom but I don't know if I recommend that... I'm no expert but if she goes poop eventually the bird should be okay but if the bird can't poop it probably needs helped out. Some prolapses I read can go away on their own.

 

[s0999697]

Prolapses can indeed go in and out just like in humans, they can happen sort of rarely from straining. I've heard some people say they push them back in the chickens bottom but I don't know if I recommend that... I'm no expert but if she goes poop eventually the bird should be okay but if the bird can't poop it probably needs helped out. Some prolapses I read can go away on their own.

I never has experience with prolapses so thats why I thought it would be showing regardless of what she was doing. I will have to read more on that then. Thanks for the insight.

 

[ILuvMyFlock]

I never has experience with prolapses so thats why I thought it would be showing regardless of what she was doing. I will have to read more on that then. Thanks for the insight. 

Sorry I couldn't be of much help