Pasty butt, impacted crop, constipation, splay leg chick -help

[4kidZ]

Hi all,

I have a chick that is about 5 days old now. When it was born, he pipped, but worked REALLY hard to get out of the thick cuckoo egg and membrane. I swear he worked at his shell for over a day.

He could not stand by the end of the day that he hatched. His legs went completely out to his sides....the worse splayed leg I have ever seen and he just laid on his belly screaming and his little legs going in circles at the side.

I had not choice but to use a zip tie to keep his legs together after using the bandaid, the shackles, etc. After 2 days of keeping his legs tied together, physically holding him and showing him how to move his legs and keep them UNDER himself, hand feeding and watering w/ electrolyte water, I took the tie off. He still couldn't walk and laid on his side a lot.

I had no access to selenium, but had some 400 vit E. capsules on hand, and squeezed 2 of those into food. By the next morning after feeding him that and slightly sugared water, he was hobbling around by himself.

Hip hip hooray, right? Except, now had pasty butt. I have been holding his rear under the faucet w/ luke warm water, cleaning it out a few times a day. The first time, I put triple antibiotic on it cuz it was protruding and red. Then I put olive oil on it after every cleaning. Oops...forgot to say that I put clean deep, fine grain, FL sand in the brooder and they have ALL been eating, drinking, and downing the grit!

Today, the little guy is still constipated, still pasty, but NOW his crop is HUGE. looks like a bullfrog, it's so big. And he chirped all night long, obviously in pain.

What can I use to get this stuff to pass through his little body? (besides Molasses) Should I try an enema? have him DRINK a few drops of olive or vegetable oil?

Thank you!

*edit spelling in title PASTY

 

[4kidZ]

Quote:
Bumping cuz chick is getting really lethargic. I NOW have mineral oil. Can I squirt it up it's bum like a human baby? If so, how much?
Thanks

 

[chickenlady]

I would try to give it some oil in beak to try and break up what is in crop. Just make sure you clear the air hole in back of mouth. Dont want anything entering the lungs. Make sure it is not getting dehydrated which is a huge concern when the crop is not working properly.
Why did you use fine sand in brooder? Seems to me they will just eat that and cause a problem. This chicks system may not be working right either. What temp are they at? are you giving cold or warm water? what are you feeding them?

 

[4kidZ]

Quote:
Thanks...got a drop of mineral oil in him, and nothing still. Will try and get a few more in.

I put the sand (grid) in when he first got pasty butt...(just a little pile by the food...not as bedding), which is what I read on byc ages ago. The floor is aspen shavings w/ paper towels on top of that and rubber shelving liner on top of that. Normally I just do the paper towels on top of the shavings, but thought the little splayed leg guy would get better footing on the rubber shelf liner.

The brooder is now at about 88 degrees, now. Was at 95 degrees when they first got there. I also have an ostrich feather duster and a long multi colored feather duster that they all (5 of them) cuddle with.

I'm giving room temp water.

Thanks

 

[chickenlady]

This is just my opinion, I'm sure some will agree while others may not. Grit is not necessary to give to day old chicks living in a brooder. All they need is their chick starter crumbles. Nothing more. Secondly, I would never ever give fine sand. That will impact a crop quickly. If sand is used in place of grit, I would use very coarse sand only. They make actual grit with is much larger pieces than even coarse sand.

With that being said...... the pasty butt could be caused by many different things. The sand, too cold water, the change in temp, the vitamin E, or an internal problem it was born with which you may not be able to fix. Continue with drops of oil and you can also make a mixture of epsom salt and water. This works as a flush for the system. Please make sure this little one is getting plenty of water. In this case I would make sure it is drinking every half hour minimum. Dehydration is a key factor here and it will go downhill extremely quickly. It will chirp real loud for a time, then get quiet and sleep for a time, and then finally die. This could be a couple days to a week depending on the chick.

You can also give the baby vitamins poly vi sol without iron. I usually give a couple drops by beak a couple times a day. Best of luck. Keep us updated.

 

[4kidZ]

OK...off to get some epsom salt. I have indeed been making sure he is drinking constantly. He even eats whenever I fill their feeder and I find him eating just about every 2nd or 3rd time I go get him.

Now, as far as the sand goes, that is what all my birds get as grit, naturally outside, here in FL., and what they have been getting for the years that I've been raising birds. This is the FIRST time, I've ever put it in the brooder, though.

As soon as I found that now his crop was stuck, I researched here, and found more posts stating the grit would break it up and help it pass. I was afraid that the Vitamin E w/ the starter crumble was not breaking down naturally...

OK-=--off to get epsom salts and try that.

Thanks again...so much!!

 

[aqhaktberry3]

4kidz-
I have sent you several messages about buying some marans and I never got a response? I;m just trying to get a hold of you and thought that i would try this. Please PM me. Thanks!

 

[Judy]

I would use olive or other veggie oil rather than mineral oil. The mineral oil will prevent absorption of the E. And I would definitely get some organic ACV into the water, probably a tablespoon to a quart to start, to address the pasty butt. Definitely get the sand out of there. The rubber flooring is perfect right now. Moisten a bit of feed several times a day with a bit of Gatorade and offer that. I'd put the vitamin drops on the side of his beak, a drop or two a day is enough. I don't know whether you can save this chick or not, but I think this will help.

Good luck.

 

[4kidZ]

the little girl died this morning. I did everything and she drank everything, so I just have to assume it was nature's way. She still never completely walked normal.

Thanks for all the help. I have all the options in my email for future reference.

Aqha: please email me at [email protected]

thanks

 

[chickenlady]

So sorry to hear about your baby. You did all you could, your a great mommy. Give the rest a big hug and kiss.