What is Happening? Sick?

[llombardo]

I went home for lunch and as always checked on the babies in the bathroom. One of them was kind of standing still and seemed to be pushing. A small amount of poop came out. I continued to watch for a minute. More pushing in the standing position, but nothing. I checked out the bottom area, it's clean and looks fine. Otherwise eating, drinking and walking around.

Constipation maybe?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Probably. Check that the heat is not too high.

Chickens are fairly dramatic when they have a bowel movement. It is likely just fine or a little constipation, which can indicate either not enough water or too much heat.

LofMc

 

[Saaniya]

More water
Sometimes drinking less water makes chicks constipated
If nothing work .give some honey in water Or milk to flush

 

[llombardo]

They have been off heat for weeks. They are older, like 10-12 weeks or so.

To be honest I almost thought egg, but they don't poop and lay?

Don't laugh, I watched a video of a hen laying an egg, it looked similar. And something about the positioning of the body, couldn't put my finger on it.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

My thought then runs to....if they are 10 to 12 weeks of age, and off heat, they should be out in the yard and not in your bathroom.

Exercise also prevents constipation. At 10 to 12 weeks of age they need fresh air and lots of dirt to scratch in.

As to your anatomical question, actually yes, the hen's egg duct and bowel are connected to or part of the same tract. The egg tract joins into the main tract which passes the fecal material. When laying, the egg tract inverts and extends to allow an egg to pass through the main tract without touching fecal material. However, with a large egg, fecal material may also be pushed through as well.

A hen will lay generally by standing up and pushing in the same method that she passes feces. It is the same general motion and stance.

However, 10 to 12 weeks is too young to be laying. It is likely constipation and that is cured by good old fashioned good food, water, and exercise.

LofMc

 

[llombardo]

I am getting their enclosure together, but I am doing it by myself. It's taking forever because of work and weather. They have just as much room in the bathroom as what would be the coop, so while I would prefer them to be outside, they are definitely not lacking in space. The window is wide open and again it's not like being outdoors but they get a phenomenal breeze.

They always have fresh water, they get all flock, scratch and a snack(strawberries, meal worms, tomatoes, etc) before bed.

We have had pretty bad storms yesterday and today, so outside is not an option until the weekend.

Is there any foods I can give that will help versus hurt?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Try adding some apple cider vinegar, raw, with mother, into the water, plastic containers only (the acid leeches zinc off the metal containers).

A little constipation can occur in any bird. Adding some molasses in the water or oil in some mash could help, but I doubt you need to do much unless you notice it is becoming a frequent occurrence.

Ah yes, the building of the coop....it always takes longer than you expect.

Good luck on your new endeavors. Hopefully the weather will let up enough to allow you to finish so you can get your bathroom back in.

Lofmc