Need help with sick baby chick.

[justivy]

I have a five week old Easter Eager hen who seems to have eaten quite a bit of hay. Four days ago, she had a strand of hay coming from her rear so I tried to gently pull it out but it was stuck. I immediately gave her a warm bath and then coated her vent with olive oil. On her own, she did pass the hay which turned out to be quite a wad. Later in the day, she had another bunch protruding from her again, I repeated the warm bath and even more came out. I have given her olive oil and she seems to be clear now since she has gone to the bathroom normaly. Today, she wasn't eating so I offered her yogurt, she ate it willingly with her chicken feed mixed in. The problem I have now, is that she is still puffed up and not as active as my other four chicks. Fortunately, the are being very sweet to her, I was wondering how long it would take for her to get back to normal or is she not going to make it. I truly love this little baby, we call her bunny-hoot because she looks like an owl. Any advice would be welcomed.

 

[Rocky Rhodes]

Sorry to hear about your baby. I wouldn't let them eat anymore hay. Maybe use coarse pine shavings. Your chick could have an impacted crop. Feel the chicks upper chest for a lump. There are different ways to deal with this problem. https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/impacted-crop-how-to-treat-your-chickens-surgery-graphic-pic

 

[gander007]

Alright

great to have you joining the BYC flock

BYC has a very useful learning center

I only use straw around my chicks

And in many years I have never had a problem ....



Sounds like you are doing everything correctly but try feeding your chicks a hard boiled egg once a day for a couple of weeks you will be surprised at the difference it will make in your pullets and it will aid in digestion and bowel movements or cleaning out the intestines ......





Some of my chicks having egg's for breakfast yum, yum

gander007

 

[BoppsBees]

Tell us when the chick is better

 

[drumstick diva]

I think you should post in detail on "emergencies, diseases, injuries, cures " thread. I think she has impacted crop and was probably fortunate that a lot did come out as a b.m. Even long strands of grass can cause an impaction.

I had a similar incident many years ago with a puppy. He was in a play pen near my bed and I saw him pooing and it looked like a large worm was working it's way out. I nearly

it was so

. but I wrapped tissue around it and started pulling and pulling. It turned out that he had chewed off and swallowed the handle on the side of the mattress,
used for turning it over. If he hadn't passed it he probably would have needed surgery to remove it.

Please let us know how it turns out with your girl.

 

[justivy]

Her crop is not impacted, it is normal. I did remove all of the hay and only use pine shavings. I am hoping that she is just taking a bit of time recovering from it all and that she will be back to normal soon. I will try the hard boiled egg, just wondering if anyone knows how long it takes for a chick to bounce back to normal under these circumstances. I truly appreciate the advice.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

Sorry about your baby. She could have impactions further on down in the intestinal tract from the crop or even in the gizzard. I would try some dulcolax gel caps. Get a cap and poke a hole in it and squeeze the contents onto about a teaspoon of baby food or apple sauce, (something thick) and mix it in. Use a spoon and scrape it into an empty syringe, no needle. Squeeze this onto the middle of her tongue. This is a stool softener and will help to break down impactions. Give her another dose before roosting time tonight.

If she were an adult, you would not allow them to eat for 24 hours to clear the impaction. But because she is so young, you shouldn't starve them. But you should limit the food a bit for her today. So offer her feed once an hour, but only a tiny bit. Dampen her chick feed. Dry food will make it harder to get the impaction moving. She needs as much water as she can possibly get. You might even skip some chick starter one hour and feed her watermelon. Water is what breaks down and moves impactions. Give her another dose before roosting time. Limit her food, and let her drink as much water as she can get into her. If you know how to syringe water down her throat, she will benefit from this greatly, but if you do not know how to do it, don't. You can aspirate them very easily with water and kill them.

As for when she bounces back to health.....when you get this impaction cleared out.

But you should also post this in our emergency section for more help. I hope she makes a full recovery.

 

[justivy]

Thank you for your input, I will try what you suggested. I did post in the emergency section but have not had any responses yet. She is drinking a lot of water on her own, will buy watermelon today and dulcolax. Thank you again, will keep you posted on her condition.

 

[justivy]

She is more active right now but still puffed up. This is one tough little girl, I just adore her.

 

[Rocky Rhodes]

She is more active right now but still puffed up. This is one tough little girl, I just adore her.

You have got me so curious about this little chick that looks like an owl, could you post a picture of bunny-hoot? Oh yeah,Welcome to BYC.