pls help w/ chick with the poops

[jggrossm]

Hi all -

I have four chicks, all about 15 weeks(?). One of the Golden Buffs is only about 2/3 the size of the others and she's a bit more docile. She's consistently had moist watery poops for weeks and now it's been sticking to her butt feathers. I did give her a little "butt haircut" to prevent a pasted vent - which we did find one time. And every week or so I give her a little bath to clean her up and then I put mineral oil on the area. And we've been putting a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in their water. But she doesn't seem to be getting better. The vet here seems to know nothing about chickens. Can anyone tell me what we could try next? What it might be? I sometimes give them vegetation and we feed them poulin grain pellets, but it happens even when I don't give them any green stuff, tho that may make it worse.

Ideas? Please?!? She's my favorite bird!

Thanks in advance,
Joanna

 

[AmyBella]

http://www.chat.allotment.org.uk/index.php?topic=17568.0

Have you seen the poo chart? I found it to be reassuring... There is a wide variety of "normal" poop.

Is she showing any other signs of illness? It might be a good idea to separate her and watch closely for a few days. Plain, active culture yogurt can be really helpful at firming up loose stools. I would mix a teaspoon into some pellets.

Good luck! I hope she's OK!

 

[Judy]

Quote:
I agree, one tsp per chicken, or of course, feed store probiotics.

 

[jggrossm]

I have tried yogurt, but I've read that too much can actually cause loose stool, so I don't really want to go there. I heard that vinegar does the same thing, but w/o those side effects. The feed store sells animal pro-biotics? I haven't seen them online anywhere.

 

[AmyBella]

They do sell probiotics for animals, but you can also use a lactobacillus/acidophillus for people if that is easier to find.

 

[gottalovemychickens]

yeah , out here in colorado ive seen the pro-biotics . $$$ Though , i dont know how much it is where you are

 

[jggrossm]

I'll visit the feed store and take a look. Thanks!