1 chick is older than the rest. Also, somebody has diarrhea

[8shotsmorethots]

Hello! I'm brand new to this and just bought six chicks the other day from TSC. Seeing some posts here, the store and its workers doesn't always seem to have the best reputation, but the girl at the store seemed to really know what she was talking about when it came to the birds and raising them. However, one of my birds, a Black Sex Link that I named ChickRock, is a week older than the rest. I went to a different feed supply store today and wanted to buy 1 rarer breed chick. She told me they can only sell a minimum of four. So, I explained that I had already bought six previously and having ten total would be too many for me in the space I have. She said by state law she can't sell me any less, but then warned that I should never mix chicks of different ages anyway, and that if one was a different age from the rest of the flock, it's likely that they will beat it up and have problems. So far they all seem to getting along normally without problems, but I have them kept in the garage, so I can't really monitor their interactions that much (it's detached from my house).

But now I'm worried that the rest of the flock might end up ganging on ChickRock because they perceive her as being different from the rest. They're all different breeds, but she is noticeably more developed with her feathers, albeit only just a little bit larger than the rest. I saw some spots on her when she stretched out her wings that looks thinner/bald which makes me question if she's getting pecked at while I'm not observing. Would younger chicks bully an older chick if they outnumbered her?

Also, at least one of them has left some diarrhea droppings that I've found. I read that coccidiosis causes this and could kill chicks. None of them seems to be acting sick though. Is there anything else that could cause this? So far I've only been feeding them chick feed and water with electrolytes and vitamins.

 

[cavemanrich]

But now I'm worried that the rest of the flock might end up ganging on ChickRock because they perceive her as being different from the rest.

Not likely to happen,, especially since she is the biggest.

Also, at least one of them has left some diarrhea droppings that I've found. I read that coccidiosis causes this and could kill chicks. None of them seems to be acting sick though. Is there anything else that could cause this? So far I've only been feeding them chick feed and water with electrolytes and vitamins.

If you can,, get some medicated chick feed. It has what is needed to prevent coccidiosis. Coccidiosis is usually associated with traces of blood in stool .
Just give clean water,, and skip the electrolytes, and vitamins at this time.

On the subject of 4 chicks minimum,,, the state has that rule,,, (not sure if law) to prevent peeps getting chicks as pets for their kids,,, as Easter gifts. After Easter,,, they do not know what to do with them. many get dumped
In my area,,, some of the feed stores have a 6 chick minimum. but I do know of at least one feed store,, that will sell what ever number you want.
Try after Easter, and rules may be relaxed,, or try different store.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and