Any idea what I can do to help this little guy along?

[Back2MyRoots]

These chicks are the same age and supposedly the same breed, RIR. They are now 9 days old. All the other chickes have doubled in size in the last week, but the little guy hasn't grown much at all. He is feathering in pretty well. He eats and drinks and poops and plays just like the others. What could be going on? Anything I can do to help him out?

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

Idk. I have one hen that is way stunted, I have no idea what happened but it was about 9 days in when I noticed.

She might be a little small, but there's nothing wrong with that is there?

 

[Back2MyRoots]

No, actually, it's hopelessly cute. Though I am scared to death of it dieing. I am so tender-hearted....too much so, I'm sure. I just started keeping chickens a few months back. Losing one to an illness (or predator) scares the begeezies out of me. I know that sounds stupid. I just want to make sure it's just him being small, not something very wrong.

 

[RonC]

Mine grew at different rates and are all the same breed. Some would lag behind then have a growth spurt and catch up and pass the others.

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

I hear you! I am terrified of losing a hen (couldn't hurt to have less roos though, joking), but really, he won't die. If he looks and act fine he probably is. He'll just be hopelessly cute forever!

 

[Back2MyRoots]

That makes me feel a little more confident about him. It would be cute if he/she sayed tiny forever..... Though isn't that what Bantams are? lol

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

Does the smaller one by any chance have really baggy eyes? I can't tell from the pic. My stunted hen did. She looked like she was stoned, hence the name Stoner Eyes.

Just wondering...

 

[Back2MyRoots]

Does the smaller one by any chance have really baggy eyes? I can't tell from the pic. My stunted hen did. She looked like she was stoned, hence the name Stoner Eyes.

Just wondering...

Actually, yes, a little. He always looks sort of drowsy to me, even when he is running around playing.

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

Actually, yes, a little. He always looks sort of drowsy to me, even when he is running around playing.

Huh, interesting... I wonder if that has something to do with it, or is just a result?

 

[Back2MyRoots]

It is odd. Did yours seem to be......fuzzier......for lack of a better word? Our little guy seems to have longer down feathers. It was a bit of a problem at first because his poop stuck in his feather a bit. But I just trimmed around his vent a tad and solved the problem. He is super fuzzy compared to the other chickies. He is colored the same, he just seems so different.