Possible chick constipation

[ChicksofWI]

Good Morning Everyone,
My sister and I are new to the chicken game and ordered our first batch of chicks. They are at about 2 weeks and all doing well except the little Orpington. She did great week one but the past 3 days seems to be having trouble going poop. Her vent is swollen and clearly sore. When she poops she strains and almost seems to peck at her vent to help get the poo out and peeps loud. We have tried Vaseline and prep h. We tried some mineral oil yesterday. We are not sure what else to do, she still has her spunk, eats, drinks and passes stool just struggles. Is there anything else to try? The poor bum looks so sore and we all know that’s no fun!
Thank you!

 

[coach723]

You can try giving it some tiny pieces of solid coconut oil to eat, that may help. Use warm water and a Qtip to gently massage and moisten the vent. Applying vaseline or a bit of antibiotic ointment (like plain neopsporin) may help. You can also try mixing some probiotics in the water, sav-a-chick makes one (one is electrolites, one is probiotics - get the probiotic one). Also, make sure your brooder temp is not too hot or cold, both of those can contribute. If you are using a heat lamp make sure they have room to move in and out of it and temps should be about 90 degrees in the hottest place the first week, and then drop by 5 degrees each week after that. If the ambient temperature is pretty warm, they don't need so much supplemental heat. If you haven't, then check with a thermometer under the hottest part and adjust as necessary.
https://blog.cacklehatchery.com/why-baby-chickens-get-pasty-butt-and-what-to-do-about-it/
https://the-chicken-chick.com/pasty-butt-in-chicks-causestreatmen/

 

[ChicksofWI]

Thanks for the advice. We were going to try the coconut oil if there were no results with the mineral oil. Our main concern was a prolapse if it continues to be swollen, but she is still passing stool.

You can try giving it some tiny pieces of solid coconut oil to eat, that may help. Use warm water and a Qtip to gently massage and moisten the vent. Applying vaseline or a bit of antibiotic ointment (like plain neopsporin) may help. You can also try mixing some probiotics in the water, sav-a-chick makes one (one is electrolites, one is probiotics - get the probiotic one). Also, make sure your brooder temp is not too hot or cold, both of those can contribute. If you are using a heat lamp make sure they have room to move in and out of it and temps should be about 90 degrees in the hottest place the first week, and then drop by 5 degrees each week after that. If the ambient temperature is pretty warm, they don't need so much supplemental heat. If you haven't, then check with a thermometer under the hottest part and adjust as necessary.
https://blog.cacklehatchery.com/why-baby-chickens-get-pasty-butt-and-what-to-do-about-it/
https://the-chicken-chick.com/pasty-butt-in-chicks-causestreatmen/
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