Gasping breathing

[SoManyChicks]

My family has a bunch of chickens and some of our hens have been sitting for awhile now. Recently, three babies hatched. Two of the babies are fine but the third was found underneath the hut that the hens are sitting in and the chick isn't doing well. He's keeping his eyes mainly closed, acts like it is gasping for air, and has a bloated belly as well as a splayed leg which is under control now. He is noisy when messed with so I take that as a good sign. I tried to give him water and electrolytes but every time I do, he convulses. He is inside in a cardboard box with a heat lamp above him which is what we have always done and the chicks turn out fine. I want to keep the chick alive but I fear he might not make it. Has this happened to anyone else and what were the results? Thank you!

 

[Livipedia]

Have you checked for gapeworm? Have the chicks been vaccinated for mareks or coccidiosis yet?

 

[SoManyChicks]

The chick hatched sometime today. After I posted the first post, he got better. He's not gasping anymore ands his one eye stays open for awhile. I think the water may have helped since it was hot outside today. None of our chickens have been vaccinated. We've only ever had one chick die in the house after hatching from one of our hens.

 

[SoManyChicks]

The chick made it through the night and is better this morning. We let him go back to the main momma hen since she does so well with babies. The only problem we still have is one of his eyes staying closed all the time.