Help - Chick not growing/eating

[Dutchgirl]

On Saturday, about four days ago, we purchased eight bantam chicks from Tractor Supply Co. Now one of them does not seem to be growing, is very sleepy all the time and does not seem to have any energy. He is drinking but not eating, we've tried force-feeding him but it isn't working very well. We've put him inside a small container next to the other chicks, since the mother hen we've had them with is getting up, kicking the wood chips around, and scratching. The chick has a lamp on him and he's just sitting there sleeping. His poop seems normal.

We had a chick in the past that never grew but seemed just as energetic as the other chicks. As his nest-mates grew we eventually had to tote him around in order for him to keep up with the others. One day he just died. Is that what's happening to this chick?

 

[Dutchgirl]

The chick passed away a few minutes ago.

 

[CMV]

It sounds like a "failure to thrive". This is not uncommon. The first thing I try with these guys is to check for pasty butt. If there is no pasting then I grab for the Poly-Vi-Sol. A drop or two by mouth each day for a few days will either help or do nothing at all. If these two things don't aid in any way (and the chick is still alive) I usually cross my fingers and hope for the best because there is not much more that can be done. Nature will take its course. Just try not to get too attached.

Sorry and good luck.

ETA- Sorry for your loss.