Silkie Chick Constipated

[ChickenGuyBry]

Hello all, hoping someone can point me in the right direction... we are new chick parents (for 7 days now) and have 1 chick out of our 6 that is struggling with constipation. At first I wasn't sure if she had pasty butt or if things just stuck to her because of her fluff... i've done the warm water thing and it just seemed to clean her, she still struggled. I've seen her drink water regularly and eat a ton of food, but i constantly see her struggling to poop. I'm hoping to avoid an enema but if it has to happen, so be it. Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[azygous]

Get a syringe, tiny one, and put some olive or mineral oil in it. Insert it just a tiny bit into her vent and give it a squirt. That might be enough to soften the plug that's formed just inside the vent.

You should know pretty quick if it works. If it doesn't, you will need to try getting mineral or olive oil into her beak. This is dangerous since she can aspirate the oil. But try to be as careful as possible by first just allowing her to drink it as if it were water. She may decide to make it easy for you and take a healthy swig.

If she refuses, try inserting a syringe into the right side of her beak, just far enough to get the oil onto her tongue. Try to get a teaspoon of it down her.

For the inflamed vent, smooth some coconut oil on it. It will heal it and help prevent further pasty butt.