Weakest chick actually has food in its crop!

[Chotii]

I had some Crested Polish chicks hatch out on the 29th and 30th. I helped the last one out, and have kind of been regretting it ever since, as it is weak and not growing well, and because it is blind in one eye, and its beak is a little crossed (but not horribly). But, I figured that while I couldn't just let it die in the shell like I maybe ought to have done....if it does now, that's just nature.

Well, although the chicks are all growing like gangbusters, this one isn't. It walks, it cheeps, it hasn't died....but it doesn't seem to be growing (except feathers. Its wing and tailfeathers are growing). I was afraid it wasn't even eating.

But! It has food in its crop this morning. So clearly it is taking care of itself. It may yet die, but this is more hopeful than I was counting on. I think I'll try a little sugar water for it, too. I don't have Quik-Chick and my feed store doesn't carry it, but I can do sugar in water.

 

[Imp]

Good Luck

Imp

 

[gritsar]

If you want to help it out even more, take it aside for a one-on-one feeding once or twice a day and also, offer a second feeder in case the stronger ones are rushing it away from the feeder before the little one has had its fill.
I have a hen that is half-blind and was the runt. She's as round as a bowling ball now, though still not of normal stature. She's also at the top of the pecking order due to being my roo's favorite.
Good luck!