Gouldian chick has 'no poo'?

[Pukasand]

I'm hand feeding another LG chick. Poor thing is so pathetic. Someone nipped off it's wing tips and toes. I really don't know what it's outcome will be if it survives. I've been feeding it for a full 24 hours now. It is really spunky and active, begs readily and crop is emptying. My problem is that this chick hasn't made any poo yet. Now that waste has to go somewhere. The last chick I hand fed had the same problem Am I feeding them too young? The formula I'm giving them is almost pure water. This little fella/gal is fighting so hard to survive, I would feel so bad if it lost it's battle due to my fault. I wiped it's little butt with some warm water, thinking that may initiate a BM. Any/all advice is welcome. Thanks.
PS: I'll post a pic if it makes it thru another day.
PPS: I'll try to find/use the papaya supplement tablets or papaya baby food.

[dfcauley]

Judy you are just a hero in my eyes to even try this with a bird that has such problems. It may be that it's poo is all clear and your not seeing anything yet. Perhaps in another day or so.....
Kudos to you for trying. That is all you can do so don't beat yourself up over this. Best of luck!

[Ginene]

Pukasand
I agree with Donna...you are amazing! I will pray for you and your sweet baby ...

[lyzzyjayne]

Hmm... I would say thicken the formula up some. Blessings to you both!

[debbie276]

Also agree with Donna. Formula needs to be very thin right now.
Best of luck

[Pukasand]

Thanks Donna, and everyone. I had fed it rather thin consistancy formula, then thickened it up a bit, added some applesauce, then gave some that was almost watery. No poo and no evidence of poo. I have it on a Viva paper towel. I've even examined it under a magnifying glass to make sure it even had a butt. Well, time will tell. It's still kicking and begging, so must feel okay. I'll give an update tomorrow. Hope it's good news.

[Sally]

I've had a few babies become constipated. I soaked a square of toilet paper in very warm water, squeezed out the excess, and then held the compress against the butt. Massaged the butt a little, too. After doing this several times, suddenly a HUGE amount of poop would come out. How old is this baby? If it is only a few days old, then the formula should be thin, gradually thickening every few days. If the formula is too thin, the baby doesn't get enough nutrition; if too thick, it is difficult for it to digest. Hope this helps gets its 'pipes' working.

[lyzzyjayne]

I've had a few babies become constipated. I soaked a square of toilet paper in very warm water, squeezed out the excess, and then held the compress against the butt. Massaged the butt a little, too. After doing this several times, suddenly a HUGE amount of poop would come out. How old is this baby? If it is only a few days old, then the formula should be thin, gradually thickening every few days. If the formula is too thin, the baby doesn't get enough nutrition; if too thick, it is difficult for it to digest. Hope this helps gets its 'pipes' working.

Excellent advice! What a great wealth of information we have access to here! Please let us know Pukasand.

[Pukasand]

Houston, we have POO !!!! But... the chick looks a bit lethargic. I fed at 10pm, 2am, 4am.. when I went to feed at 8am, crop was still a bit full, so waited til 10am.. still food in crop and not begging. 12 noon. We had POO, but still not squirmy and beggins as was normal. I'm afraid I'm going to lose it. 1:30 no food/water. .............sigh................... I think perhaps I am too much of a doting Mom. Time will tell. Thanks for all the advice.. I think the warm compresses did the trick.

[lyzzyjayne]

Oh Judy, I know it is so hard. I'm the same way.
On a lighter note- a Portugese Water Dog was my dream dog when I was a little girl!

[Pukasand]

My Porty is a rescue and the most laid back dog I've ever had. We were his 4th home before he was a year old! Their loss is our gain.

[Pukasand]

The little chick has passed. I prayed to St Francis to either guide me in it's care or to not let it suffer. It's over the Rainbow Bridge now, ..with all it's little wings and feet.

[debbie276]

So sorry to hear this, we know you tried and gave it the best chance

[Sally]

So sorry to hear this, but you certainly tried your best. Chances are, this little one had internal injuries besides its external ones, and so it was doomed from the start. It is better that it passed now, rather than lingering. As you said, it is now over the Rainbow Bridge, with all its wings and feet restored.

[Pukasand]

I think I have solved the riddle of why the chick was tossed.. and eventually expired. Upon closer examination of his little body, I found a very, VERY fine 'string'. It was much finer than a human hair. More like a strand of mohair or a spider's web. This 'string' was wrapped around it's little wing. I think in the nest the mother tried to rid the chick of this, and thus nipped it's wings and feet, leading to the chick being tossed when the mother carried the 'string' out of the nest. Kind of like the 'baby with the bath water' theory. I think it finally strangled the tiny chick. it was so fine, I didn't see it, even with the magnifying glass, until after it had passed. The ONLY thing I can attribute to this is some timothy hay I had put down for them to forage in. They love it. I toss some seeds in there and they are like kids in a candy factory. I just wanted to give anyone who uses timothy hay to be careful and not use it until all chicks have fledged. Now, this is just my opinion, but I don't know where else it could have come from.