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5 week old "runt"

post #1 of 5
4/4/12 at 7:59am
Thread Starter 

I have a flock of 5 week old chicks.  They are all doing great, thriving, save one.  The second to last to hatch (third day of the hatch) and I had to help it out.  It is an Australorp that my daughter calls "Shiver".  I kept it separate from the others for the first couple of days so it could gain some strength to hang with the big chicks.  It did fine. 

 

In the last 2 weeks, though as the others have really grown and feathered out, Shiver has stayed small and is still very downy.  It looks like a 3 week old chick next to its 5 week old flock mates. Shiver is extremely spunky and seems to be doing well other than size. Should I remove it to feed it separately?

 

Here are some pics for reference.

 

Shiver standing, is the same height as the others when they are sitting!

IMG_0583.jpg

 

IMG_0584.jpg

~Amy~ Married to my best friend, raising a couple of kids, living in a 220 year old house & loving country life.

Our flock: 1 Ameracauna rooster, 2 Plymouth Barred Rock, 1 Splash Andalusian, 1 White Leghorn, 2 Black Copper Marans, 1 Blue Copper Marans, 2 Buff Orpingtons and 6 Barnyard Mix Hens.

 

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~Amy~ Married to my best friend, raising a couple of kids, living in a 220 year old house & loving country life.

Our flock: 1 Ameracauna rooster, 2 Plymouth Barred Rock, 1 Splash Andalusian, 1 White Leghorn, 2 Black Copper Marans, 1 Blue Copper Marans, 2 Buff Orpingtons and 6 Barnyard Mix Hens.

 

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post #2 of 5
4/4/12 at 8:35am

Sometimes these chicks eventually catch up and do fine.  i wouldn't separate it, myself, but I would probably separate it for a few minutes once or twice a day to give it a nutritional boost.

Judy
Happiness is when you can look at your chickens and smile....
Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due.

Flockwatching my little bunch of mutts, a favorite pastime.

BYC Troubleshooting article -- click here

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Judy
Happiness is when you can look at your chickens and smile....
Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due.

Flockwatching my little bunch of mutts, a favorite pastime.

BYC Troubleshooting article -- click here

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post #3 of 5
4/4/12 at 8:37am

No, don't separate it, because chicks really need company to be happy.  If the others aren't picking on little Shiver, then he/she will be just fine.  I just recently had a batch of little bantam Cochins hatch, and there was one who seemed to be a miniature.  The others grew quickly, while this chick (it was a little roo) stayed little for quite some time.  He was healthy, so I just let him be, and now he's still not quite as big, but he's just fine.

 

I think your chick will be fine too,

Sharon

Proud owner of some nice show quality Buckeyes and Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks.  I love gardening and being outdoors.  I'm lucky to have a great family, and two cute dogs.  I live out in the country on six wooded acres and it's just paradise!  (Except the mortgage payment and bills, of course)

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Proud owner of some nice show quality Buckeyes and Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks.  I love gardening and being outdoors.  I'm lucky to have a great family, and two cute dogs.  I live out in the country on six wooded acres and it's just paradise!  (Except the mortgage payment and bills, of course)

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post #4 of 5
4/4/12 at 8:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by flockwatcher View Post

Sometimes these chicks eventually catch up and do fine.  i wouldn't separate it, myself, but I would probably separate it for a few minutes once or twice a day to give it a nutritional boost.



 

true 

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post #5 of 5
4/4/12 at 9:14am
Thread Starter 

Thanks y'all.  I love the internet.love.gif  

 

~Amy~ Married to my best friend, raising a couple of kids, living in a 220 year old house & loving country life.

Our flock: 1 Ameracauna rooster, 2 Plymouth Barred Rock, 1 Splash Andalusian, 1 White Leghorn, 2 Black Copper Marans, 1 Blue Copper Marans, 2 Buff Orpingtons and 6 Barnyard Mix Hens.

 

Reply

~Amy~ Married to my best friend, raising a couple of kids, living in a 220 year old house & loving country life.

Our flock: 1 Ameracauna rooster, 2 Plymouth Barred Rock, 1 Splash Andalusian, 1 White Leghorn, 2 Black Copper Marans, 1 Blue Copper Marans, 2 Buff Orpingtons and 6 Barnyard Mix Hens.

 

Reply
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