Prolapse help

[Newchickadee30]

Hello,

I have a young cockerel with a small prolapse. I can’t get it to stay in. I’ve tried keeping him in warm water to relax him, but nothing is working. It comes out every time.
He has lost all this bum feathers, and the hard dried poop is taking me at least an hour every night to soak and clean off.
We live in a very cold climate and I’m worried about the exposed featherless skin on his bum. Also to get his bottom wet every night to clean it. I clean it inside with warm water, but in a months time I can’t just put a wet chicken in a coop with the cold temperatures.
I’m thinking we might have to cull him, but posting on here as a last resort.
I don’t want an animal to suffer, however this little guy is eating, active and a member of our flock so that’s why I’m struggling with this decision. I just don’t know what further I can do. Thank you

 

[FarmerGirl101]

@casportpony @Eggcessive @Overo Mare @azygous @aart

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hello,

I have a young cockerel with a small prolapse. I can’t get it to stay in. I’ve tried keeping him in warm water to relax him, but nothing is working. It comes out every time.
He has lost all this bum feathers, and the hard dried poop is taking me at least an hour every night to soak and clean off.
We live in a very cold climate and I’m worried about the exposed featherless skin on his bum. Also to get his bottom wet every night to clean it. I clean it inside with warm water, but in a months time I can’t just put a wet chicken in a coop with the cold temperatures.
I’m thinking we might have to cull him, but posting on here as a last resort.
I don’t want an animal to suffer, however this little guy is eating, active and a member of our flock so that’s why I’m struggling with this decision. I just don’t know what further I can do. Thank you

Can you please post some photos of him, his vent and his poop?
What do you feed?

A general location would be good - are you in the US (what state) or country?

Is his crop emptying overnight?

Does it seem like he's prolapsing due to constipation?

Are there other cockerels?
Do you see the others picking at his vent?

 

[azygous]

How old is this cockerel? Two months? Two weeks? If it's a young chick, he's very likely constipated to have a prolapse. I've seen prolapse in a one-week old chick that was badly constipated. Older ones get constipated, too.

I would first give him a teaspoon of oil, coconut oil chilled slightly is easiest. Clean his vent area by soaking his little ass in warm Epson salt water. This will also soothe the inflamed tissue. Soak for at least ten minutes.

Pat him dry, and use a witch hazel soaked cloth to gently push the prolapse back in. Then smooth cortisone cream on his vent. He needs to stay in a crate while he's being treated so the other chickens don't peck and injure his prolapsed tissue.

I keep a prolapse patient on a thick towel in a crate to absorb fluid loss. If he's very constipated, the blockage will cause fluid loss, and he will be very thirsty. Provide lots of water. Also provide grit. Every few hours, check on him and repeat the process pushing the prolapse back inside and also give more oil if he doesn't pass the stuck poop.

 

[Eggcessive]

How old is he? Is he drinking enough water? What is the temperature where he is located? Have you been using heat?

 

[Newchickadee30]

Hello,
I can take photos once home. He is 13 weeks old and has not been constipated.
The temperature here varies, we are in Canada and around -2 C right now.