Need help with chick.

[NBow30]

Hi everyone! I have a 2 week old chick that has a very swollen, squishy lump on her chest. Its been like this for 2 days now. Anyone know what it could be or what I can do about it? I have 9 other chicks & none of them have whatever this is. Shes eating, drinking & walking fine, they were vaccinated for Marek's by the hatchery before shipping. The bedding is pine shavings, they're eating 20% chick starter/grower feed, I change the water multiple times a day & they do not get treats or anything other than feed to eat. Please help, I'd hate to think she's in pain & I definitely don't want to lose her. TIA!

 

[DobieLover]

That looks like a very full crop.
Did you check her to make sure her vent is clean?
Pull all of their food and water one night and before you give it back in the morning check to see if that crop is flat and empty. If it is, she's just a big eater and there's nothing to worry about.
If it's not then you have to treat her.

 

[NBow30]

That looks like a very full crop.
Did you check her to make sure her vent is clean?
Pull all of their food and water one night and before you give it back in the morning check to see if that crop is flat and empty. If it is, she's just a big eater and there's nothing to worry about.
If it's not then you have to treat her.

What can I do to treat her? What do I need to do or what products do I need to get to help? I don't want my feathered baby suffering.

 

[DobieLover]

What can I do to treat her? What do I need to do or what products do I need to get to help? I don't want my feathered baby suffering.

First determine if she really has an issue. You need to pull food and water at night and check her crop in the morning before you do anything. That is step one and it can't be skipped.

 

[NBow30]

First determine if she really has an issue. You need to pull food and water at night and check her crop in the morning before you do anything. That is step one and it can't be skipped.

Yes I plan to do that. But in the event that it doesn't help I'd like to go ahead & have ideas for what I need to be able to treat her quickly. She's already been this way for 2 days & I dont want her suffering.

 

[ChicNmom]

Yes I plan to do that. But in the event that it doesn't help I'd like to go ahead & have ideas for what I need to be able to treat her quickly. She's already been this way for 2 days & I dont want her suffering.

First off did you check her vent to make sure she isn't stopped up with dried poop? This is very important. A poop clog can kill her.
If you find dried poop stuck to her use a wet paper towel to soften it. Don't just pull it off.


If she is eating, drinking and walking fine then she is not currently suffering.

If she becomes lethargic and stops eating and drinking those are usually signs a chick is in distress.

 

[NBow30]

First off did you check her vent to make sure she isn't stopped up with dried poop? This is very important. A poop clog can kill her.
If you find dried poop stuck to her use a wet paper towel to soften it. Don't just pull it off.


If she is eating, drinking and walking fine then she is not currently suffering.

If she becomes lethargic and stops eating and drinking those are usually signs a chick is in distress.

Yes, I check all 10 regularly to make sure the vents are clean. Shes good there. She has been drinking & eating a little, she's gotten to where she doesn't move around alot though.

 

[ChicNmom]

@NBow30


How does her crop look today?

 

[NBow30]

@NBow30


How does her crop look today?

Still pretty large. A little more squishy than it was yesterday but definitely didn't go down any. I added probiotics to the water this morning. Shes moving around just slow going.

 

[ChicNmom]

Still pretty large. A little more squishy than it was yesterday but definitely didn't go down any. I added probiotics to the water this morning. Shes moving around just slow going.

OK, So the only think I can think is she may have eaten a lot of pine shavings and might have slowed down her digestive process.

Most of the chicks/pullets I've raised have eaten some but never to the point of being a little impacted.


If her vent is clean it's the only thing I can think of. You might get some chick size grit and put just a little out for them.

Maybe make a mash out of chick starter and water to get more fluids in her to help move it through.

You could possibly do a tiny bit of very gentle crop massage.

If it persisted and I was concerned that she was not getting enough calories or if she seemed weak then I would probably try a mini version of a molasses flush. Just a little to clear her out but not forcefully. Maybe just a couple of drops of molasses in a tablespoon of water and see if she would drink it on her own.

With her being so young I wouldn't want to do anything too drastic or aggressive because they are delicate.