I am going to say if it is already running around maybe it is just time to tie it off. Cochins and Sally like using dental floss with iodine on it. PM them and see what they say. I am not the expert. I do know from experience that it will dry up and fall off like a baby's umbilical. It sounds like your chick is ready to get on with this living stuff.
I love having Save-A-Chic on hand. It reminds me of orange gatorade but it is full of good vitamins. Sometimes chicks just need a pick me up of electrolytes and vitamins to get going. You might also dip its beak for it every hour or so and get it drinking really well. sprinkle food on a paper towel for it close to where it is laying. Just some of my random thoughts on your little chick.
Thank you for the help. Thanks to those who offered advice. I'd already been dipping its beak despite those cute little squeals of protest, but will definitely keep it up.
I'm trying to keep the areas they frequent as clean as possible. I'm putting shop towels under the heat source and change those out several times a day. I'm terrified of cocci, but couldn't get anything but unmedicated starter from the local mills. I do keep a little dry food sprinkled on the towels, and keep a dish of fresh fermented feed in there too that they mob from time to time. I think what scares me most is that this ones poops just seem like they don't have anything in them. The other chicks have been pooping fine from day one. Hopefully those electrolytes kick in and give the little guy a boost. He's seeming to perk a little bit from hour to hour. Praying it was just exhausted from hatch.
