I think I have a failure to thrive chick. It hatched Wednesday (today is the following Sunday) This little chick doesn't eat and drink well and has started to lag in growth compared to the other chicks. Sleeps all the time, doesn't huddle up with the other chicks, doesn't show the same signs of anxiety that the other chicks do, doesn't act as curious.

Is this common?

I know this chick is not going to survive. I was just wondering if this happens frequently. Nature has its own rules and there is no point in fighting it but it is sad.

Thanks,

Kari

I have one chick that is much smaller than it's siblings, but he is nice and healthy. I had another one which always seemed cold and cried all the time. Now it is one of the strongest. I had healthy ones die on me in an instant. Don't count your losses quite just yet, he might be the next best chicken in your yard.

I had one of these a few weeks ago. I brought it out of the brooder house to my house so I could watch it. I put it in a box on an end table in the family room with a heating pad underneath it set on "medium". I gave it water with electrolytes and vitamins and a small dish of chick starter. I kept her in the house for about 1 & 1/2 weeks. She is now healthy and acting like a regular chick except that she's not afraid of me. She is thinner than the others and she may never be a good layer but she's alive. So I think there's hope for yours.

Hi. I read this message board every day but this is my first time posting. My babies are now about 26 days old. When they were less than one week there was one small pullet that was weak, would barely eat and couldn't walk. I fixed up an "intensive care unit" so the other 24 chicks would leave her alone to die in peace. She didn't seem to be in pain but I just KNEW she would die. I gave her water from a dropper and small amounts of food just to keep her comfortable. Within a few days she seemed to snap out of it. She has since caught up with the others and is doing fine. I'm sure she would have died without the extra TLC but it was worth it. Of course she has a special place in my heart too. Don't count out your little one yet. Keep her warm and give some extra attention.