need help

[pooh731]

I have 4 new baby chicks, I have 3 American and 1 Welsummer. One of my American chicks looks like she can't poop. What do I do? Any suggestions.

 

[Judy]

Is it because there is dried poop stuck over her vent? Wash it off with a gentle stream of running water (takes a while) then oil or breast their bottom so the next one isn't so lkely to stick. This (called poopy butt around here) is caused by constipation, usually from shipping stress and perhaps being overheated as well.

Or do you mean you don't see a vent? This is a defect that happens pretty rarely but it does happen. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do about it, unless an avian vet would be willing to try to correct it surgicallly. That would be quite expensive, and I doubt the chances of success would go much over 50/50, if that.

 

[thecrumbler]

If you have any shotglasses handy, dip the chicky butt in tepid (not hot!) water until it soaks off - usually if you hold them gently they'll stay put for the minute or so it takes. You can swab a little olive oil on ze butt to keep it from happening again, but keep an eye on it in case you need to soak again.
It's usually stress induced. It should go away on it's own - you can add probiotics and/or electrolytes to their water if you'd like.