I picked up 5 chicks (hatched about 3 weeks ago) and I had 1 pass away within 2 days of arriving, which I attributed to either illness or the stress of shipping. The others seemed alright and I supplement with nutri-drench on most days, however - 1 of the remaining chicks has been growing much slower than the others. At this point I'd say she's about half their size and just beyond the usual 1-week markers.
The smaller one is a buff orpington, the others are a Rhode Island Red, red sex link, and a blue copper marans. So far the other chicks are not picking on the little one, but as their rowdiness increases I'm getting nervous that the little one might get accidentally injured.
Does anyone have any suggestions for helping a runt catch up or even just staying healthy? I'm trying to prepare myself that she might just not have it in her to get full size at this point, but I also want to do what I can since its only been a few weeks so far.
The smaller one is a buff orpington, the others are a Rhode Island Red, red sex link, and a blue copper marans. So far the other chicks are not picking on the little one, but as their rowdiness increases I'm getting nervous that the little one might get accidentally injured.
Does anyone have any suggestions for helping a runt catch up or even just staying healthy? I'm trying to prepare myself that she might just not have it in her to get full size at this point, but I also want to do what I can since its only been a few weeks so far.
