Small and lethargic baby chick

[Biddy-Biddy]

I received 30 baby chicks in the mail on Thursday. All are alive, active and healthy except for 1. It is less than half the size of the others and very lethargic. I put it in front of the food and water but I've never actually seen it eat or drink. I know it must have, just never seen it. What can I do to give this little chick a boost? Thanks

 

[Chicken-lovebirdchihuahua]

Give him some electrolytes with an eye dropper

 

[Chicken-lovebirdchihuahua]

And make sure he drinks it mix it in with water

 

[alexa009]

And make sure he drinks it mix it in with water

I agree, electrolytes will definitely make him more active. Gatorade contains electrolytes I know, you should try that if you have it.

 

[Biddy-Biddy]

I have a powdered electrolyte supplement for livestock. I'll try mixing up some and giving it to the chick. Thank y'all for the suggestion.

 

[azygous]

A chick that is very small and that is lethargic is likely a "failure-to-thrive" chick. These chicks hatch with genetic flaws such as undeveloped internal organs. They do not process the nutrients from food, so they don't grow. They are usually cold for the same reason. They get constipated very easily and they are also prone to pasty butt.

They have everything going against them. What you can do is give Poultry Nutri-drench, a potent vitamin supplement that is designed to go right into the blood stream, by-passing a possibly undeveloped digestive system.

Watch for the chick to poop. If it squats and strains and peeps loudly as it does this, it's constipated and needs treatment. If it has a clogged vent, you need to clean it.

It helps to give a chick like this minced boiled egg or crumbled tofu since these are easier to digest than crumbles.

Sometimes these chicks manage to make it, but more often they die despite everything we do.

 

[Biddy-Biddy]

A chick that is very small and that is lethargic is likely a "failure-to-thrive" chick. These chicks hatch with genetic flaws such as undeveloped internal organs. They do not process the nutrients from food, so they don't grow. They are usually cold for the same reason. They get constipated very easily and they are also prone to pasty butt.

They have everything going against them. What you can do is give Poultry Nutri-drench, a potent vitamin supplement that is designed to go right into the blood stream, by-passing a possibly undeveloped digestive system.

Watch for the chick to poop. If it squats and strains and peeps loudly as it does this, it's constipated and needs treatment. If it has a clogged vent, you need to clean it.

It helps to give a chick like this minced boiled egg or crumbled tofu since these are easier to digest than crumbles.

Sometimes these chicks manage to make it, but more often they die despite everything we do.

Last night I added some electrolyte to the water and also gave them some cooked scrambled egg. They all went crazy for it, even the tiny chick. Each time I go out to check on the babies, I think I am going to find that one dead. For now, she seems to be doing better. I'll keep my fingers crossed. I'll go by the feed store today to pick up some Nutri-drench as well.

The tiny chick doesn't show any signs of pasty butt, but some of the others that are thriving do. I am watching it very closely.

Thank you for the suggestions!