First question

[Cwhitechicks]

Hi, thank you for providing this forum. We just got 6 baby chicks 5 days ago and are first time chick parents. We have so many questions because we just want to keep the chicks healthy. 5 are doing great but one is much smaller and though she's eating and drinking electrolyte water, she spends most her time under the heat plate. The concerning thing is that she is standing there nodding off like she's exhausted. When she comes out to walk around a bit she's a little wobbly still. After 5 minutes she goes back under the heat plate when everyone else is out. What can I do to help her? The rest of the chicks are getting bigger and stronger. She is the only Polish chick. No one has started pecking at her yet, but I'm afraid that could start. I hope she makes it through the night

 

[WingItRanch]

I'm sorry your little chick is struggling! It's possible that it's failure to thrive. Unfortunately, that does happen. It sounds like the rest of your chicks are doing well so its probably not environmental or any type of illness.

I will say that chicks sleep a lot. They will just crash suddenly. Pretty cute when its not terrifying. Maybe your polish just needs a little more heat and rest.

 

[nuthatched]

It might be a runt and there's nothing you can do, I'm sorry

 

[Cwhitechicks]

I'm sorry your little chick is struggling! It's possible that it's failure to thrive. Unfortunately, that does happen. It sounds like the rest of your chicks are doing well so its probably not environmental or any type of illness.

I will say that chicks sleep a lot. They will just crash suddenly. Pretty cute when its not terrifying. Maybe your polish just needs a little more heat and rest.

Thank You, I hope that's all it is. We'll see in the morning.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Good job identifying a problem, hopefully in time.
There are some realities. Sometimes chicks fail to thrive. Not all living creatures do. Survival of the fittest is a reality.
It is also a reality that occasionally a chick can be a runt. Are all the chickens large fowl or could the small one be a bantam? I doubt the electrolytes are what the chick needs, after all, that is nothing more than various minerals. There is a limit to how much is needed. If you are in the US or somewhere else where Poultry Nutri-Drench is available, get some. It is various vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids and molasses for energy. The advantage is that it doesn't even need to be digested but is absorbed and directly enters the bloodstream. It is a real boon for feeble shipped chicks.