1 week old bantam chick- acting sick- help

[Chloesmama]

Hi there-
I have 2 bantam chicks (and 6 red pullets, but they are separated) and one of the bantams is acting very sick. It has always been a bit smaller than the other, but now it seems to be failing to thrive. The wings are dull and hang oddly at its side, it stands instead of laying down or sitting to sleep, but its eyes are always closed. I have not seen it eat in a few days (but I have 3 young children, so I can't sit in there to watch all the time). It had a white string of poop hanging from its body last night and had super bad pasty butt this morning, but I cleaned it up. I have added electrolytes to the water and was dipping its beak in the water this morning. Don't know if it is too late. What can I do? Is the other chick going to get sick? How long do I have to wait to see if the other one gets it?

Here are two photos of little chick.

 

[Mei&Popcorn]

Your first priority would be to get food and water into them... Have you tried to make a mash of wet feed and feed it to them?

 

[Chloesmama]

Thanks so much for your reply. I did get him/her to drink and put the electrolytes in the water and after about 24 hours it was so much better. It has not been about a week and while he seems smaller than the other one, he is seeming strong and growing well.