A runt or is there more to it?

[Buckeye2002]

i have a small 3+ week old chick that I am becoming concerned about. It is about 1/4 of the size of all the others. Here some picks...any thoughts?

 

[Melky]

What protein are you on? I had a couple small chicks and increased their protein to 20% and they did fine.

 

[Dr.GarryTTucker]

Is she eating normal? Is she drinking normal? Sleeping normal? If so I would worry too much.
I can tell by her feathers she looks like she is a week behind on growing out feathers. But she looks healthy. Poop is a little runny but that could be from a number of factors. Just make sure she can get to water and food and is eating normal and drinking normal.
I had one that matured about 3 weeks after everyone. Didnt lay eggs till about a month after the rest. And became the matriarch of the flock.

 

[aart]

Hard to say.
Might be 'deformed' - genetic anomaly,
which could affect outward appearance and inside functions(nutrient uptake).
Only time will tell.

 

[Buckeye2002]

RUNT UPDATE:

She is 7 weeks now and still far behind. She eats and drinks fine I think. I have attached some photos including her rear end where she isn’t growing any tail feathers.

Thoughts?

 

[aart]

Is her butt constantly that dirty?
Wonder if her vent(anus) is deformed...
....or something is wrong inside and that's why her poops are loose and clinging to her rear.

 

[paneubert]

Aren't true Arucana chickens "rumpless"? Maybe this is an Arucana? Doesn't explain size, but could explain shape.

 

[paneubert]

Araucana is the correct spelling. On mobile and harder to edit posts.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Araucana is the correct spelling. On mobile and harder to edit posts.

I hear ya!

Is her butt constantly that dirty

That is concerning... I don't know what would cause that in one chick and not the others, unless it is a deformation.

I have another question: Where did you get your chicks? Did you hatch them or buy them?

 

[Buckeye2002]

Is her butt constantly that dirty?
Wonder if her vent(anus) is deformed...
....or something is wrong inside and that's why her poops are loose and clinging to her rear.

And she smells horrible. Will a good cleaning help at all?