- Jul 23, 2014
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In the spring I had a chick that was ~30hrs trying to get out of his shell and, for only the 3rd time in 9 years, because we were in Covid lock down, I assisted the chick out of the shell. He hatched ok but he was SO weak! He couldn't stand for the first 4 days, I had to hand feed/water him. Then he was able to stand but I had to treat him for spraddle leg, which lasted a few more days. However, but soon after that he was he was running with the rest of the chicks! At first he was smaller than the other chicks (that he hatched with) but he did catch up and now at 18 weeks he is only a bit larger than the females, although he is very active and walks very tall .... My question is if I keep him for breading is it in his DNA to make smaller/weaker chicks or was his weakness just the result of hatch conditions, position in the shell, or issues from the shell itself?