4.5 week old chick not growing **now with pics** ((Updated))

[Blue_Myst]

Sounds like she just needs a lot of extra protein to catch up, I'm glad she's doing better!

It looks like you're doing all the right things.

 

[Salem Witch]

I saw Songbird yesterday, and she is definitely growing... and feisty! She has a lot of energy, and seems to be holding her own!

 

[Big dreams]

I had one that did the same all others grew and she just kinda stayed the same, then all of a sudden seemed to catch up can't tell now who's who. So I thinking she will be fine. Good Luck.

ps. Maybe she just wanted extra attention from you.

 

[mermaidgoat]

Update:

She's doing really well! She's still tiny, but she's growing and thriving!

Here are some recent pics:

 

[love_my_jerseys]

One of my Jerseys had a similar issue only she wasn't as tiny. She started out as the same size as the other 4 but ended up growing more slowly for awhile.

A few weeks old

She's still smaller than the others but she's growing up fine

Never had any problems and in fact she's the smartest out of the bunch haha

You'rs is so cute, and I'm sure she'll do fine

 

[Salem Witch]

I visited with Songbird (and Molly, LOL!) the other day, and she is a feisty little girl!

 

[threehorses]

I just caught this thread, and it looks like all is going well.

I do have to say that is one very cute little hen!

Sometimes you get one in the batch that just needs a little more nutrition to get them started. There are some things in the future to note so that you don't have any more (expected) issues with her.

First, if you're breeding a line of chickens, don't use her babies. That way you improve your line. Just in case it's something genetic. Keeping them as pets - just expect her babies might be like her.

Second, when it comes time for laying, make good and sure that you have everything all set up "in case" especially for her. Her slower less thrifty development might have effected her internally, so just plan to do everything to make sure they lay good solid eggs.

With her in the flock, I'd double check to make sure you always have a good grit and oyster shell combination, and then not too many grains - let your complete laying feed be 90% of the feed. Be sure to give her (if not all the birds) a good source of vitamin D when her comb starts to darken. I like yogurt because of it's calcium/phos/vitamin D balance and good bacteria. That way if she is a little funky chicken inside, she'll be more likely to get eggs off without a hitch.

In the mean time - is she totally spoiled and tame?

She's so cute.

 

[mermaidgoat]

Thank you for the advice, threehorses!

I'll definately keep that in mind for the future!

She is completely tame (and spoiled) - she's one of my sweetest gals!

 

[Butterflygirl50]

I have six silkie chicks that are two weeks old today. They have not grown at all.
My neighbor also had Silkies born two days before mine. Hers are three times the size of mine.

When I clean the pen I see a lot of food under the shavings.

Also, I don't see many poops.

They look and act healthy but are just still the size they hatched at.

I put electrolytes in the water and have them some Grogel - they wouldn't eat it.
Are they all sick?

 

[ozarkmamabear]

I have six silkie chicks that are two weeks old today. They have not grown at all.
My neighbor also had Silkies born two days before mine. Hers are three times the size of mine.

When I clean the pen I see a lot of food under the shavings.

Also, I don't see many poops.

They look and act healthy but are just still the size they hatched at.

I put electrolytes in the water and have them some Grogel - they wouldn't eat it.
Are they all sick?

Is the food just too big for them? I noticed some of my chicks picking up food and dropping it, then scratching for different food. I used a coffee grinder to make it smaller and they started eating like crazy. The crumbles of that particular food were just a bit too big at that time.