Straining to poo, help please

[speedyfuzzball]

Her stools seem a lot rounder/thicker than the others.. Think that's also why she's having such a hard time with them.. The others a skinnier and longer.. She looks to be in so much pain while deficating that she needs to take breaks to get it all out
Probios came in today! Should I put it in their water or feed? And how can I be positive that they are getting the recommended daily dose?? I'm assuming I have to put three doses for three chicks

 

[Haunted55]

Her stools seem a lot rounder/thicker than the others.. Think that's also why she's having such a hard time with them.. The others a skinnier and longer.. She looks to be in so much pain while deficating that she needs to take breaks to get it all out

Probios came in today! Should I put it in their water or feed? And how can I be positive that they are getting the recommended daily dose?? I'm assuming I have to put three doses for three chicks

What do the directions say? Not knowing the product, I still can't believe you'd have to give more than 1 dose for all of them unless you are giving it to each one individually.

 

[speedyfuzzball]

1/4 tsp per bird per day ( under one pound)
She's still having issues pooping, I don't know what to do feel like I tried everything

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

http://msucares.com/poultry/diseases/solutions.html
there are laxative solutions listed on this page if you need them

 

[Haunted55]

1/4 tsp per bird per day ( under one pound)
She's still having issues pooping, I don't know what to do

feel like I tried everything

Okay, here's what I would do, continue with the wet feed as I described before. You can even use the teaspoon dipped into the molasses, just about 1/3 of it and stir it up. Once stirred up I would add 3/4 of a tsp. sprinkled on top. This way they get the probiotic first and the molasses and extra water will ensure everything 'moves'. You may have to do this for a few days, 5-7, to get everything on track. Also, check her vent and make sure there is no poop build up there, everyday for a while. If you are using ACV, stop. This can be causing the upset. If you haven't started them on a poultry vitamin like savAchick, please do so.

 

[Michael Apple]

Been busy the past couple days. I see the constipation is still here. It's back and forth just like us when we have digestive trouble. What Haunted suggested is not drastic and should help balance things out. I don't do much mixing in feed unless I'm boosting protein levels/adding Red Cell or Poultry Cell for adult birds. I use Probios in waterers. I use a teaspoon per gallon two-three days a week just to keep it in their systems as adults, and 1/2 teaspoon per gallon with chicks. The vitamins-electrolytes in water help with the balance of fluids and absorption of protein,calcium, etc. be they adults or chicks.

You want the chick to have normal bowel movements, and they may get loose at first, but the strained muscles and swelling of the cloaca won't have to remain that way. Has the swelling gone down at least?

 

[speedyfuzzball]

I'm not sure if the swelling's gone down because her feathers grew back so I can't really see it as well. When she tries to poop, it looks like she's having a rectal prolapse? Not sure if I'm using the right term but basically looks like her insides come out when she poops and when she's done, it goes back to normal. I am continuing with the wet feed with a drop of molasses and probios on top. It almost seems like her poops are too big for her

 

[Michael Apple]

It is possible the end of the intestinal tract before the cloaca became enlarged while she was constipated. With stools becoming softer the intestinal tract may return to its normal state so the cloaca doesn't work so hard to expel large amounts at once. I had a hen with a deformed cloaca. It was genetic and nothing I could do to change it. It wasn't swelling up and causing her pain, it was just difficult to pass droppings without getting messy around the vent. I decided to let her live and keep the vent area clean by tending to it a few times a week. She was a sex link and had a good 3 years to enjoy life. I believe supplementation, and specifically Vitamin E, were beneficial in maintaining elasticity of the cloaca. I can't say whether or not your pullet has a deformed cloaca, it could just be a reaction to constipation. I prefer to use Probios in the water because it has a sweet taste and encourages birds to drink. I use a teaspoon per gallon/ 1/4 teaspoon per quart of water.

 

[casportpony]

I had a one with what I think was a deformed cloaca and in the end, she couldn't pass her first egg... By the time she died, I could not get one finger inside her. In hindsight, I probably should have euthanized her. I'm not saying that's what you should do, just wanted to share my experience and thoughts.

Curiously, is your chick in pine shavings? If so, you could try using a towel instead, I've seen shavings cause these types of problems before.

 

[Michael Apple]

Hopefully the probiotics and ease of passing waste will help restore the ph of the cloaca. There are some preventative measures with citric acid listed on this vet's site if the problem continues:
http://www.birdhealth.com.au/flockbirds/poultry/diseases/vent_gleet.html

Not to alarm you, Speedyfuzzball, since you aren't dealing with vent gleet, but you may find some of the preventative recommendations helpful.