Sudden onset chick constipation

[azygous]

I know this thread is old, but @minaayindra , did your chick recover? I have a chick going through something similar for the past 36 hours. I'm able to relieve the chick by soaking it's butt in warm water and it can pass some waste, but it is still struggling. I'm continuing to support it because it is eating/drinking well and really seems to have a will to live but I'm concerned that this may not improve.

Have you given the chick some coconut oil? If not, chill slightly so it's firm and measure out a teaspoon full. Break off small slivers and slip them into the chick's beak. Very gently massage the crop to get the oil moving down the digestive tract. This is the proven remedy for constipation. You'll know it's worked when the chick passes a large turd. Waiting too long to treat with oil can result in death.

 

[swamphiker]

Thanks @azygous! Yes, I have given coconut oil and managed to get about 1/8 tsp into the chick today. It's been a struggle to get the chick to accept coconut oil, even using the technique you mentioned.

 

[azygous]

That's not nearly enough to get the job done. The most difficult part of getting oil into a chick is getting the tiny beak open. I bet you're worried about hurting the chick. Don't be.

If you have a helper it would be much easier. I know. Four big hands will dwarf the tiny chick. Don't worry. Here's how to do it.

One of you will use both hands to hold the chick and to pry open the beak wide. The helper will shave off small slivers of oil and slip one at a time into the right side of the beak. (The chick's right side, not yours.) Just push the oil right in. Each time the oil is deposited inside the beak, allow the chick to close its beak and swallow. Then pry open the beak again and the helper will place another sliver into the beak. The person holding the chick will allow the chick to close its beak and swallow.

Keep repeating this until all the oil is inside the chick. Then massage very gently to get the oil moved out of the crop and down toward to gizzard. It may take an hour or over night to accomplish the poop. But it will happen and then the chick will be happy and feel much better.

 

[swamphiker]

Thank you for the continued advice @azygous (not sure if I should continue to tag you or if you will see this thread -- sorry I'm new here)

How much coconut oil should I administer? I got a second person and we've been having success administering it in its liquid form with a syringe.

 

[swamphiker]

Sorry, I just reread your last comment. One teaspoon should be enough?

 

[azygous]

Yes. One teaspoon. Administer the oil any way that works for you both.

 

[swamphiker]

Thanks for the patience! We managed to get about a teaspoon in the little chick. Now we will wait and see. Thank you so much for the help, I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.

 

[minaayindra]

I know this thread is old, but @minaayindra , did your chick recover? I have a chick going through something similar for the past 36 hours. I'm able to relieve the chick by soaking it's butt in warm water and it can pass some waste, but it is still struggling. I'm continuing to support it because it is eating/drinking well and really seems to have a will to live but I'm concerned that this may not improve.

Yes, she is doing beautifully and is probably the healthiest girl I have! Please don’t get discouraged, it’s easy to do. While I did have to wipe the rear (and sometimes just pull the excrement off), the reason she survived AND developed a love fixation for me is I fed her, on her own in a separate room, with mineral oil and water plus some food mixed in. As she was becoming slightly better and I knew I couldn’t keep her away from the others without having her bullied, I put her back in the brooder and fed every one of them chick started with mineral oil and lots of water. They all loved it, nobody got sick, and she just became one of the flock again. I think it took about 4 weeks to clear up but I would have treated her for 12 if I had to... and she is now fabulous, frisky, eats like a pig and lays lots of eggs! If you have any other questions I’d be happy to try to answer them. This was a trying time but the result was more than worth it. Thank you for caring enough to keep working at it!

 

[kushkricket]

I used some olive oil on my little chick. Just be very patient. I used a dropper and she went for it. Try putting some on a q tip and put it on the tip of the beak. It’ll get in there just be extremely careful not to get it in the nose holes. I also put a little bit on her vent with olive oil as like a lubricant for when it does come out. But I didn’t squeeze her at all. Hope this helps you and the little baby!

 

[swamphiker]

Thanks for the words of encouragement! Hopefully my chick has a good outcome as well. It seems much better this morning, so we will just wait and see if the chick is able to put on weight. I like the idea of mixing in mineral oil with the feed and water; I might try that this evening.