Little girl having trouble pooping

[blackal]

Hi All,

I have 5 baby chicks, and have been through the pasty butt thing with 2 of them, so I'm always keeping an eye out now. I'm a first time chicken raiser, so I know there is a lot more I don't know than what I do know, but I did as much research as possible to try and make sure they have had a good brooder experience.

These girls are 3 weeks old, all of them seem healthy and are growing well. They seem happy as well. I've got them on starter feed still, and they are drinking plenty of water.

One of them, every time she poops, I can tell it hurts her. She makes these distressed chirping sound, and you can see her pushing, and then she finally gets it out and everything is ok. I did do a quick soak with her (maybe 10 minutes) in warm water after the first time, but she doesn't have pasty butt, It just looks like every time she poops its a struggle and she is in pain.

Should I take her to the vet? I've read about giving them watermelon as a natural laxative as well, but I wanted to see what others have to say. None of the other 4 have this problem.

Thanks in advance all!
Justin

 

[2ndTink]

I feed mine mash, so just their starter feed with water, they love this. I make mine like a thicker oatmeal consistency, runnier when they are just hatched. She may not be getting quite enough water or may just need a little extra help. The other thing you could do is give her a little coconut oil or olive oil for a few days.

Since I've been feeding mash I haven't had any chicks struggling to poop. But I know exactly what you are talking about, I had one in one batch do that, started feeding mash, it stopped, so typically now they get mash the first 4 to 6 weeks. I also offer dry feed 24/7 alongside the mash, they pick what they want.

 

[blackal]

Ok thank you! I will try and give her some mash as well! Really appreciate the advice!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

One of them, every time she poops, I can tell it hurts her. She makes these distressed chirping sound, and you can see her pushing, and then she finally gets it out and everything is ok.

Hello and welcome to BYC!

Sorry one of your babies is uncomfortable.

I also feed mash now.. but experienced the same thing this year (first time out of about 1000 chicks even when they all used to eat dry crumble in prior years)..

One chick who had NO pasty butt ever was distressed EVERY time it pooped.. it's anus protruded and it did the chirping and all like you describe.. I was worried it might prolapse.. and I mean if poo is too big to come out of the hole.. what might be in store for eggs?!

As a previous "breeder" it took everything I had not to cull the weak genetics out.. when everyone else was doing quite well.

The molasses in poultry nutridrench was not enough to produce any laxative effect.. and while I did consider any other "flush".. using epsom salt or molasses as both will produce that effect.. I just didn't want to create more issues and chose to be patient and let nature take its course.. noting that discomfort is not quite the same as suffering according to my definitions and current understanding.

It went on for a couple weeks (longer than was comfortable for either of us).. eventually I added some pumpkin puree (and tried standard vegetable oil at some point since we don't keep coconut oil etc on hand).. and the situation has cleared up, though I cannot say for sure if the pumpkin helped or was about the right time it was gonna happen anyways. I will also note that I did add in a little chick grit.. and some probiotics.. short term. The pumpkin is when I think I saw change. Wetter mash was tried early on and also did not improve the situation in this example. I did not separate her for treatment to not add extra stress and so all chicks got the same stuff.

Now, at 11 weeks old the rough pooper is a little on the shyer side (now known as shygirl braveheart).. and avoids me a bit since I also tried soaking her bum, etc.. but no more complaining while pooping and was always just as active and hungry as all the others.

I do not believe a vet visit is called for.. but please use YOUR best judgement.

 

[blackal]

Thank you so much for the detailed response, I really do appreciate it!

I’m picking up some probiotics for the water today and will pick up some molasses and watermelon as well.

And if that does t work after a day or two we will try pumpkin puree too!

 

[sourland]

Great suggestions given. Generally chicks with this problem outgrow it. Good luck with her.

 

[blackal]

Ok thank you all for the help! A little probiotic in the water and some pumpkin puree and she hasn’t had a problem since!