1 week old polish chick making a clicking noise

[Realtree4]

I received my group of chicks this week from Mcmurray....yay! The "extra" chick was a silver polish and was the one that has struggled since I got them on Monday. With Nutri-drench helping, I thought he would be good. He's struggled with a little pasty butt, not too bad though. And his umbilical cord seemed infected, so I kept it clean and dry and that looks much much better now! But he's never seemed as active as the all the others...sleeps a lot, doesn't run as fast and today I noticed that he hasn't grown much as all the others has. He is getting his wing feathers, but his body is still soooo small. I don't know if it's the breed, as I wasn't planning of a polish chick and have different breeds.

Plus, I noticed today as I was cleaning his rear end that he is now making a clicking sound when chirping at me So he's more "lazy" than all the others...unless picked up, then he's a fighter. He has just never seemed as healthy as all the rest but he is a little trooper and loves to snuggle with al the rest of them!

He's eating and drinking, poops look normal. I have electrolytes and vitamins in the water.

I don't want to just wait for him to die and I don't want to hurt my others if he has something contagious....any help?

Oh, they were also all vaccinated so on regular starter feed....under a red heat lamp and can move to cooler parts.

 

[Eggcessive]

I think the clicking sound can be a symptom of a bad heart--perhaps a heart murmur. I would keep him comfortable, and place him in his own area if he starts being trampled. He may perk up or not. Having a weak chick out of a group is fairly common, although it is heartbreaking. I don't think it is contagious.

 

[Realtree4]

I think the clicking sound can be a symptom of a bad heart--perhaps a heart murmur.  I would keep him comfortable, and place him in his own area if he starts being trampled.  He may perk up or not.  Having a weak chick out of a group is fairly common, although it is heartbreaking.  I don't think it is contagious.

Thank you! I wondered about a heart issue since he seems to have less energy and then the clicking. I'll definitely keep an eye on the trampling issue. I feel so bad for the little guy

 

[seminolewind]

I would treat the chick with Tylan. You have nothing to lose, and the clicking if it's with the breathing is usually Respiratory distress

 

[Realtree4]

Thank you both! He ended up passing....well, my husband had to cull him He won't move much and the others started picking at him, I picked him up and his breathing was very sporadic and not really hold his head up. I was so sad because he was so limp in my hands...he was definitely my favorite and I was really pulling for him! This is the crappy part!!

Now I find myself watching the others and cringing every time they peck each other or walk on each other..."why can't you just get along!" Is it stupid that I cried over a 7 day old chick?

 

[Eggcessive]

Oh, sorry for your loss. The polish chicks are so adorable when they are little. Your others will probably be fine, but just wait until they are about 5 weeks old and establishing their pecking order--it gets a little rough. And no, it's not stupid--it's always sad to lose a little chick.

 

[Realtree4]

Oh, sorry for your loss.  The polish chicks are so adorable when they are little.  Your others will probably be fine, but just wait until they are about 5 weeks old and establishing their pecking order--it gets a little rough.  And no, it's not stupid--it's always sad to lose a little chick.

So when you say it gets a little rough....should I just have a well stocked first aid kit on hand????

 

[seminolewind]

If I have a bully chick, I separate her for the day. Usually in a small cage inside the brooder, or a divider that they can see thru.

 

[Eggcessive]

So when you say it gets a little rough....should I just have a well stocked first aid kit on hand????

No, but you just can't believe how those innocent little chicks can grow up into little meanies. The ones that are lower in the pecking order just become subservient. Sometimes the meekest little cockerel can become king and the most fearless. It is so entertaining to watch them. At about 7 weeks they have the pecking order established, and hopefully, everything goes along smoothly. This is why it is good to have the chicks all together that you want between 5 and 7 weeks. After that they will gang up on newbies.