Chick fading fast!!! PLEASE HELP US!!!!!!!!

[chickydoodle]

Hello all~ I'm hoping someone can help us. I have a wee Red Blue Laced Wyandotte, brooded with mama in our coop and hatched there as well. Today makes him 6 days old. His hatch was unremarkablein the sense that I found him on his back, chrirping away, away a bit from his setting mama, with very little shell or yolk to be seen. The strange thing is, he was hatched 6ish days before expected (though fully ready!!), he is the only so far and I am expecting at least a few more. He had been thriving until yesterday afternoon, when I found him lethargic, on his side, eyes closed. I thought he was a goner for sure. But have been 'feeding' him warm feed mash w/boiled yolk and encouraging water. He made it through the night, but seems lighter this morning, weak, quiet, limp feet, This poor guy has been lonely and has imprinted on us, we've had a full house the last couple of days and he loves to be held and was hopping onto our hand and though I never saw him drink or eat, he had been thriving, so I foolishly figured he was and dipped his beak every now and then adn added crushed crumble to a napkin from the feeder the because it made me feel better. I figured he HAD to be eating to be doing so well

. I know he is lonely for broodmates, but it's pretty strange the circumstance of his odd early arrival...I have had chickens and guineas for years now, always got them as day olds, never had someone unable to try to eat when he/she was thriving to begin with. We've had lots of crises, but not quuite this one. Thinking of the last several days I realize he won't peck, I haven't seen him peck at anything, not the shavngs, not the crumbles, not us, NOTHING. He also won't open his mouth when I feed him the mash, he swallows when I dip and 'rub' him but won't open, I imagine he is getting virtually nothing.. My chicldren are smitten with this baby. He is super special because he was hatched here and I am desperate to keep this kid alive. I know he hasn't been injured in any way, it's like he doesn't know how to eat or drink. Please help!!!!!
Thanks so much

 

[Realtree4]

It sounds like your doing everything you can. I'm assuming since he's in the house that you have him under a heat lamp? The only other things I can think of is electrolytes in the water and Nutri drench drops (that stuff has worked wonders). Unfortunately sometimes chicks have failure to thrive and it's so sad but it does happen. I'm so sorry! It's so hard to watch and I really hope that you find something else that works.

 

[iwiw60]

You say one of your broody hens sat and hatched this chick? Why isn't he still with her???

 

[chickydoodle]

I have a large coop and flock of 13 hens, 3 guineas (2 female, 1 male) and 1 rooster. It was a sort of fluke that I it all happened the way it did. The hens befcame broody and I marked a few eggs and left them to see how everything would go. Honestly I was shocked at the finding of this guy. Our coop is raised, the flock jumps in and out through the pop door, about 3 1/2 feet, we have a ramp but jumping has become evtrance of choice . It's not the greatest setup for hatching or brooding but figured I'd let the girls set and see what happens. He's not safe left with her in the coop/ chicken yard~ not in the least. I guess I should have seperated them from the others. Live and learn. I guess I deserve a flaming for taking him from his mother.
He has since pooped twice since my post this am, so something is getting through, I'm praying he will thrive. Adding electrolyyes to his water as well. And yes, he's under heat.
Thank you both for your responses.

 

[olfart]

Our experience with sick chicks has never been good. We have nursed a few back to good health, but from that point on the other chicks want nothing to do with them. Often the others will even try to kill the one who's been sick. If yours survives, you might want to keep it separate as a pet.

 

[3riverschick]

Take the chick off the electrolytes. They need to be digested. Go to your Tractor Supply or feed store and buy a bottle of Bovidr Labs Poultry Nutri-Drench or Pet Nutri-Drops or Goat Nutri-Dench. Give the chick one drop only by mouth and then again every 8-10 hours as needed. These Bovidr Labs formulas do not need to be digested. They mainline directly to the bloodstream which this chick needs.
I put one squirt of Goat Nutri-Drench on a one qt. waterer and my chicks have been doing great on it.
Currently raising 4 brooders of different ages on this formula.
Official Bovidr Labs says one drop by mouth then again every 8-10 hours as needed. 2cc's per gallon in the waterer.
Bovidr Labs says that tho their formulas are species specific, they also meet the scientific standards for a universal dose.
I have used Beef Nutr-Drench on my collies and Goat Nutri-Drench on my chickens and dogs.
Here is a URL which explains it more in depth :
How to Deal With Travel Stress in Baby Chicks
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/746509/how-to-deal-with-travel-stress-in-baby-chicks
Could the chick be blind?
Best Success,
Karen