Urgent question about red sack protuding from chick abdomen

[Mrs MIA]

Cover the pine shavings with newspaper for a couple of days until the chicks figure out where/what the food is. Then you can take it out. If you do a thick layer of shavings, you can "fluff" it by turning it every couple of days to help keep it fresher. I have 27 chicks in a 4x4' brooder area with about 4" of shavings, and it doesn't get messy at all.

We ALL learn from everyone's trials and tribulations...

Thank you for sharing, though I know it was hard to do.

 

[dustbath]

Thanks!! I'll do it.

I saw another exchange about a chick that died when shavings got caught in its throat. Is this something I need to worry about? Do the towels keep them from eating the bedding?

 

[Mrs MIA]

When I have only a couple of chicks at a time, I use the rubber shelf liner stuff you can get at WalMart for the first 5-7 days. They can get a good grip on it with their feet, and no shavings to eat. After that, they've pretty much figured out what's food and what's not food, so you can put them in shavings.

It IS possible for them to eat it, though, so just keep an eye on them.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

For the first week I use the rubber shelf liner and cover it with a "puppy pee pad". They have a good grip on it and clean up is super easy. After a week or so they go on shavings.

 

[Mrs MIA]

That's a great idea! A puppy pee pad! Now why didn't I think of that?

 

[dustbath]

Thanks!! Great suggestions!

 

[Oh Chicklets]

I am having what I think is the same issue with one of my chicks. I had my chicks delivered yesterday to my home and while I was checking for pasting I noticed that one of them had a serious protrusion coming out of her back side. I tried to clean it (it was bloody) and it seemed to get bigger so I stopped and I have just left her alone with close monitoring. She seems to be acting ok, shes eating and drinking, but I am concerned. This little baby is only 2 days old so I dont know if I am jumping the gun by doing anything. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I will also attempt to upload a photo.
Thanks

 

[Oh Chicklets]

OMG! In the hour since I checked her it has gotten soooo much worse. Im so worried! Despite this, she was drinking as I was taking the photos. Please help!

 

[Mrs MIA]

I hate to say it, but it looks like part of her intestines are hanging out.

You can gently try to push them back in with a q-tip, but it usually does not end well for the chick. I'm sorry...

 

[Wynette]

I agree - very, very sorry, but it does appear to be intestines. At this point, only thing you can do is try to GENTLY clean them off and then push them back in. There's nothing else that can be done, I'm sorry to say. It would likely end up with infection since they have been exposed, even if it does survive...so....if you are willing to do the work, you'd best go ahead & get some antibiotic on hand, just in case she survives. BEst of luck.

You say your chicks were delivered - I would most definitely contact the hatchery/person you ordered them from and let them know, they should have NEVER shipped a chick with this issue. I'm very sorry!