Sudden onset chick constipation

[minaayindra]

did you say you were squeezing your chicks to make them poop? sounds painful for them

Just him because it was literally stuck half in and half out. I didn’t squeeze his body, just the vent where the poop was stuck. I wasn’t sure what else I could do to get it out... I will definitely not do that any more!

 

[minaayindra]

Add water to make like oatmeal. Instead of canola oil, try coconut oil (it's hard but will melt in your hand), put some on your finger & offer. Stop squeezing

Thanks- I’ll go make some right now.

 

[minaayindra]

Also...they don't need grit if they are only eating chick feed.
Warm water soak his butt in a coffee cup for a while.

See, that is my frustration. I had read no chicks needed grit if they were on chick starter. Then I saw multiple people saying to put constipated chicks on grit. I’m always afraid I’m doing the wrong thing but I just never know what is right. You are telling me exactly what the books say. Wow, Ned will be so happy when I soak him in a mug!

 

[minaayindra]

Coconut oil.
Might need an enema.
Stop squeezing it.
IIRC @azygous has a good way to deal with constipation.

I’m sorry, is that a web address or something else? You can tell I’m not in my 20’s, right? lol

 

[Kiki]

I’m sorry, is that a web address or something else? You can tell I’m not in my 20’s, right? lol

No...Aart was 'tagging' another BYC member named Azygous so they can come see this thread and help you.

 

[Eggcessive]

Azygous is a BYC member. She has been tagged, so she may be along the next time she is online. Make sure that they are not too warm. You may give a flush with molasses, or just add some molasses to some watery feed. Mixing water into a small amount of feed to make an oatmeal consistency or a little more watery will get plenty of fluids into the chick. If you have coconut oil you can refrigerate some for a few minutes and cut it into slivers. Give about 1/4 -1/2 tsp if the chick will eat it. Another method would be to mix a little mineral oil into a small amount of watery feed and give it to the chick. You can also lubricate the vent opening with the oil and a QTip. Hopefully, this helps.

 

[Kiki]

Double check your brooder temperature. Make sure it isn't too hot.

How old are the chicks?

 

[azygous]

A chick can get constipated very quickly and die from it just as quickly. It's absolutely crucial to treat with oil at the first sign of constipation. A very simple thing such as not drinking enough water can cause it.

I recommend coconut oil chilled to hardness. Break off about a half teaspoon of pea size bits and have them in a dish with an ice cube to keep them hard. This is easier than trying to get liquid oil into a chick and have it end up all over you instead.

A chick's beak is like an alligator's, nearly impossible to open, but if you know the trick, it's not that hard. Grasp the chick from the back with your weak hand. While holding its head steady, stick a thumb nail of your dominant hand into the beak and pry it open. Once you have it open, bring your thumb and middle finger around its head with your weak hand and keep the beak propped open while slipping one pea size bit of oil at a time into its beak with your dominant hand. You will need to allow the chick to close its beak and swallow each piece. Take your time.

After getting the oil into the chick, follow up with a teaspoon of warm water with a very slender syringe aiming for the chick's right side of its throat. Give it time to swallow each drop.

The chick's vent is swollen and sore from straining to poop. Be very careful not to scrub or rub the vent as the tissue is super fragile. A little coconut oil on the vent can soothe and help heal it.

 

[aart]

follow up with a teaspoon of warm water with a very slender syringe aiming for the chick's right side of its throat.

This article has excellent pics of where to apply syringe.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...dications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/

 

[minaayindra]

Azygous is a BYC member. She has been tagged, so she may be along the next time she is online. Make sure that they are not too warm. You may give a flush with molasses, or just add some molasses to some watery feed. Mixing water into a small amount of feed to make an oatmeal consistency or a little more watery will get plenty of fluids into the chick. If you have coconut oil you can refrigerate some for a few minutes and cut it into slivers. Give about 1/4 -1/2 tsp if the chick will eat it. Another method would be to mix a little mineral oil into a small amount of watery feed and give it to the chick. You can also lubricate the vent opening with the oil and a QTip. Hopefully, this helps.

I have started the mash and he did take that. I’ll have to add some mineral oil on the next go round. He is so traumatized by the pain and my constant handling that I think he needs to sleep more than anything.