prolapsed/protruding vent in 2-3 week old chick

[15gardenchooks]

Hi all I noticed a couple of days ago that one of my chicks seemed a little bit pasty so I cleaned her bum off when I realized her vent looks like it is slightly prolapsed or protruding on the top. After observing her a bit I think the reason she had a messy butt is because she has a hard time passing her stools due to this defect so some sticks to her fluff underneath her vent. I tried applying some coconut oil to help lubricate the area and also tried to gently push it back in but the issue persists. Her poop is normal healthy-looking and soft. the rest of the chicks are doing well, although I did start them on Corid because we lost a few right away and one had bloody poop.

I think the poor thing might be in pain because she seems to chirps loudly or "cries" every time she tries to poop. I have been watching her and it seems like she may not have enough sphincter function in her vent to complete passing her stool. She starts pooping and it just hangs there as she struggles to push it out. eventually it falls but she also has been pulling her head back and using her beak to help it out. Otherwise she is doing ok eating/drinking/keeping up with the other chicks.

Has anyone else had or heard of this problem before? Any ideas? I'm hoping that it could be something that works itself out as she develops because she is doing fine otherwise. However I don't want her to suffer and if she is having trouble passing feces I can imagine her passing an egg (if it is a pullet).

Forgot to mention this is a 2-3 week old maran chick I purchased from a breeder. There also seems to be a bit of clear fluid around the vent, its not leaking excessively just more moist than normal. You can see in the last picture there seems to be a "flap" on the dorsal side of the vent that never goes back inside.

I would REALLY appreciate any thoughts!
Hannah

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[Wyorp Rock]

Hi all I noticed a couple of days ago that one of my chicks seemed a little bit pasty so I cleaned her bum off when I realized her vent looks like it is slightly prolapsed or protruding on the top. After observing her a bit I think the reason she had a messy butt is because she has a hard time passing her stools due to this defect so some sticks to her fluff underneath her vent. I tried applying some coconut oil to help lubricate the area and also tried to gently push it back in but the issue persists. Her poop is normal healthy-looking and soft. the rest of the chicks are doing well, although I did start them on Corid because we lost a few right away and one had bloody poop.

I think the poor thing might be in pain because she seems to chirps loudly or "cries" every time she tries to poop. I have been watching her and it seems like she may not have enough sphincter function in her vent to complete passing her stool. She starts pooping and it just hangs there as she struggles to push it out. eventually it falls but she also has been pulling her head back and using her beak to help it out.

Forgot to mention this is a 2-3 week old maran chick I purchased from a breeder. There also seems to be a bit of clear fluid around the vent, its not leaking excessively just more moist than normal.

It sure does look different.
Hard to know if that will straighten out as she gets older, get worse/stay the same.
I hate to say it, but time will tell how things work out.
I would try giving her wet soupy-ish feed for a while, see that she's drinking well and if she's really struggling to poop, give a couple of chunks of coconut oil to see if that helps her pass the stool.
It may be a genetic or developmental defect. Since they came from a breeder, if you haven't done so you may want to contact them along with photos - ask if they have seen that before. If nothing else, a good breeder wants to be made aware of something like that so they can look for it in the future.

The slight leaking is a bit concerning as well, I would definitely keep watch on that and try to keep her clean and dried if that's possible. As she grows, that may become a problem in itself, attracting flies or even causing irritation of the skin.

 

[RhodeIslandRedMamax12]

Hi 15gardenchooks,
Do you have an update on your maran chick? I have recently purchased several chicks (3 of which were black maran chicks). One of my black marans, seem to have a similar problem with it's bum: prolapse/protruding on top, clear fluid on vent. I noticed the problem yesterday when she had some poop hardened onto her feathers (on top of her vent). I removed the poop with warm water and decided to do a "wait and see". Today, she had less poop attached to her feathers (on top of her vent) but I removed that and her bum seemed red and irritate and she had less feathers, so I put some triple antibiotic ointment on it and let back in with the others. As I continued to watch her after placing her back in with the others, I noticed that the other chicks were pecking at her vent so I decided to isolate her from the others within the same brooder. She didn't like that but has water/food and a place to sleep without being pecked at by the other chicks. I'll wait and see how she heals, just thought I'd ask how your chick was doing and if you tried anything else to help her along. Thanks much.

 

[ArtyChicken]

Hi all I noticed a couple of days ago that one of my chicks seemed a little bit pasty so I cleaned her bum off when I realized her vent looks like it is slightly prolapsed or protruding on the top. After observing her a bit I think the reason she had a messy butt is because she has a hard time passing her stools due to this defect so some sticks to her fluff underneath her vent. I tried applying some coconut oil to help lubricate the area and also tried to gently push it back in but the issue persists. Her poop is normal healthy-looking and soft. the rest of the chicks are doing well, although I did start them on Corid because we lost a few right away and one had bloody poop.

I think the poor thing might be in pain because she seems to chirps loudly or "cries" every time she tries to poop. I have been watching her and it seems like she may not have enough sphincter function in her vent to complete passing her stool. She starts pooping and it just hangs there as she struggles to push it out. eventually it falls but she also has been pulling her head back and using her beak to help it out. Otherwise she is doing ok eating/drinking/keeping up with the other chicks.

Has anyone else had or heard of this problem before? Any ideas? I'm hoping that it could be something that works itself out as she develops because she is doing fine otherwise. However I don't want her to suffer and if she is having trouble passing feces I can imagine her passing an egg (if it is a pullet).

Forgot to mention this is a 2-3 week old maran chick I purchased from a breeder. There also seems to be a bit of clear fluid around the vent, its not leaking excessively just more moist than normal. You can see in the last picture there seems to be a "flap" on the dorsal side of the vent that never goes back inside.

I would REALLY appreciate any thoughts!
Hannah

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I'm having the same issue, but without the crying when pooping. I'm trying to see if her poop is normal, but I can't seem to catch her at the right moment. It protrudes a little at the top, just like you pictured. Everything ends seems fine - eating drinking growing. Will it self resolve? Any other things that can be done? Following this with you! Best of luck!

 

[SallysFarm]

Following. I have the same issue with a chick from tractor supply.

Today she actually had blood in her poop.

I cleaned her up with warm water, but wanted to follow to see if there are any other suggestions.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Following. I have the same issue with a chick from tractor supply.

Today she actually had blood in her poop.

I cleaned her up with warm water, but wanted to follow to see if there are any other suggestions.

Hi @SallysFarm Welcome To BYC

This thread is a couple of years old, so the OP may not respond to you.

Can you post some photos of your chick and her poop?
How old is she?

Was her vent prolapsed and/or picked? Do you think that's the source of blood or could the blood be actually in the poop?
If in the poop, then treating for Coccidiosis would be a good idea. Corid can be found in stores like TSC.