Need help with chick.

[NBow30]

OK, So the only think I can think is she may have eaten a lot of pine shavings and might have slowed down her digestive process.

Most of the chicks/pullets I've raised have eaten some but never to the point of being a little impacted.


If her vent is clean it's the only thing I can think of. You might get some chick size grit and put just a little out for them.

Maybe make a mash out of chick starter and water to get more fluids in her to help move it through.

You could possibly do a tiny bit of very gentle crop massage.

If it persisted and I was concerned that she was not getting enough calories or if she seemed weak then I would probably try a mini version of a molasses flush. Just a little to clear her out but not forcefully. Maybe just a couple of drops of molasses in a tablespoon of water and see if she would drink it on her own.

With her being so young I wouldn't want to do anything too drastic or aggressive because they are delicate.

OK, So the only think I can think is she may have eaten a lot of pine shavings and might have slowed down her digestive process.

Most of the chicks/pullets I've raised have eaten some but never to the point of being a little impacted.


If her vent is clean it's the only thing I can think of. You might get some chick size grit and put just a little out for them.

Maybe make a mash out of chick starter and water to get more fluids in her to help move it through.

You could possibly do a tiny bit of very gentle crop massage.

If it persisted and I was concerned that she was not getting enough calories or if she seemed weak then I would probably try a mini version of a molasses flush. Just a little to clear her out but not forcefully. Maybe just a couple of drops of molasses in a tablespoon of water and see if she would drink it on her own.

With her being so young I wouldn't want to do anything too drastic or aggressive because they are delicate.

I've put a small bowl of grit in with them & tried the crop massage too. Ive had someone tell me to put a little olive oil in her water. Is that good or bad advice?

 

[ChicNmom]

I've put a small bowl of grit in with them & tried the crop massage too. Ive had someone tell me to put a little olive oil in her water. Is that good or bad advice?

I wouldn't put it in the water since it won't mix. She probably wouldn't get enough of it or it might make her avoid drinking the water. I would try little crumbles of solid coconut oil. My big chickens will eat it out of my hand.

 

[NBow30]

I wouldn't put it in the water since it won't mix. She probably wouldn't get enough of it or it might make her avoid drinking the water. I would try little crumbles of solid coconut oil. My big chickens will eat it out of my hand.

Thats a good idea & I happen to have some on hand as well! I will definitely try that & see if it helps. Thankyou so much!

 

[NBow30]

Its been almost a week & she still has the swollen chest & it hasn't gone down at all. She seems to be okay, she's walking, eating, drinking, she will let me hold her. Im not sure what to do at this point.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Its been almost a week & she still has the swollen chest & it hasn't gone down at all. She seems to be okay, she's walking, eating, drinking, she will let me hold her. Im not sure what to do at this point.

Can you post some updated photos of her, her poop and the brooder setup?

Do they have access to food/water 24/7 and a light or a brooder plate?

You've pulled food/water overnight and checked the crop first thing in the morning (after she's had a full night's sleep, dusk to morning) and the crop is still full?

 

[NBow30]

Can you post some updated photos of her, her poop and the brooder setup?

Do they have access to food/water 24/7 and a light or a brooder plate?

You've pulled food/water overnight and checked the crop first thing in the morning (after she's had a full night's sleep, dusk to morning) and the crop is still full?

I will gets some pics tomorrow. They do have access to food & water 24/7 right now, a heat plate & a bowl of grit. Ive tried pulling her food/water & checking her in the morning, there was no change, it was still full.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I will gets some pics tomorrow. They do have access to food & water 24/7 right now, a heat plate & a bowl of grit. Ive tried pulling her food/water & checking her in the morning, there was no change, it was still full.

Have you given her any coconut oil? She doesn't seem to be struggling to poop right?

Pull the food/water again, they don't need it overnight if they have a heat plate, that's the beauty of those, the chicks should have a more natural sleep/wake cycle, tucking themselves to "bed" when it starts getting dark, then sleeping through the night.

 

[mapel walnut]

check her throat for a white goup covering or around the opening
to her esophagus if there is it is probably canker look it up right away
if there is a large build up that is covering the hole clean it out with tweezers and q-tips this can be time sensitve young chicks can die suddenly so dont wait if you can

 

[NBow30]

Have you given her any coconut oil? She doesn't seem to be struggling to poop right?

Pull the food/water again, they don't need it overnight if they have a heat plate, that's the beauty of those, the chicks should have a more natural sleep/wake cycle, tucking themselves to "bed" when it starts getting dark, then sleeping through the night.

I tried coconut oil, she wouldn't eat it. The other chicks loved it but she showed no interest at all. She's pooping fine from what I can tell. Her vent is clean, the poop is not runny or a weird color, it looks normal. My aunt told me to make her a crop bra to help it drain? Would that actually help? At this point I would try anything. Mable has become my favorite & I would hate for something to happen to her

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I tried coconut oil, she wouldn't eat it. The other chicks loved it but she showed no interest at all. She's pooping fine from what I can tell. Her vent is clean, the poop is not runny or a weird color, it looks normal. My aunt told me to make her a crop bra to help it drain? Would that actually help? At this point I would try anything. Mable has become my favorite & I would hate for something to happen to her

It would be really good to see some photos of her and her poop.

For me, I would not put a bra on a chick so young. I'd work on addressing the symptoms if indeed the crop is not emptying overnight.

If she's got access to food/water during the night or you're checking it after she's been eating/drinking, then it's not going to give you an accurate account of crop function.

Pooping fine, active, eating/drinking like normal - these are puzzling to me. Normally when I have a bird that is having crop issues, they are not doing these things.