An Underweight Cochin Chick?

[Owlgirl7]

Hi. I have just gotten 7 standard chicks from Meyer Hatchery. They are all two days old. They all seem to be doing just fine except for one white Cochin. I weighed them all when I brought them home and the next day (today). All of them have gained weight except for the Cochin. She actually lost a tenth of an ounce (a decent amount for a chick). She seems hungry and sometimes picks at her toes. I force-fed her grow gel and chick starter but she seemed uninterested. She sleeps by herself on the other side of the brooder. She seems weaker than the others. The other chicks are Light and Buff Brahmas and Speckled Sussex's. She is the only Cochin I've raised and I don't know how they're supposed to act. Is there anything I could do for her? Anything special I should feed her? Or is this how Cochins act in their first days of life?

 

[Bethel3330]

I didn't get mine until three weeks old, but it's always been quiet, sleeps a lot, hangs out by itself or under another one's wing. Very sweet but very shy. Could be the breed, maybe?

 

[Owlgirl7]

That's a good thought... I am emailing the hatchery I got them from to see too. It acts exactly as you describe. Thanks for the advice. It still seems unusual to me that it would LOSE weight while all of the other chickens I've raised have always gained weight.

 

[Bethel3330]

Forgot to mention it's teeny tiny also. Feathered out at the same rate as others but grows very slow. The guy I got it from says that's normal.

 

[Bethel3330]

Emailing them would not hurt! It's so different from my others I had to ask also.

 

[Owlgirl7]

Thanks for your help and advice. I haven't heard back from my hatchery but will post the info when I get it so you can all see it.

 

[Bethel3330]

Thanks!

 

[Owlgirl7]

Meyer Hatchery told me that this can be the breed sometimes... or that it is a weaker individual. They suggested that I continue to hand feed her. If it got worse they told me to separate her from the flock because they might be picking on her or keeping her from the food. This morning I weighed her again and she gain weight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She seems a lot better and is on her feet pecking around with the others, I think she will be fine.

Here is what the hatchery also sent me about taking care of newborn chicks (in particular if they won't eat):


-) Dip each chick's beak into water when you take them out of their shipping box. Only use room temperature water!
-) Be sure none of the chicks have “pasty butt”, as this can kill them. You must keep this cleaned off with a warm/wet rag.
-) Keep the temperature at chick level at 90-95 degrees and no drafts. Be sure there is enough room in the brooder for the chicks to get away from the heat, if necessary. (Do not overcrowd). Be sure there are no drafts in the brooder.
-) You must be sure that all the chicks are eating/drinking. If necessary you can give any weaker ones some water with a
dropper. You can also try mixing some cooked egg yolks with their chick starter.
-) Only feed fresh chick starter and always have fresh/clean room temperature water available. Do not use an open bowl for water, as chicks can fall in and drown or get chilled, which can kill them. We suggest a regular poultry feeder.
-) Do not use newspaper, cedar or sawdust – we suggest pine shavings.
-) We recommend adding Vita-Pak (electrolytes) to the water.
-) You can add 1 Tablespoon sugar to 1 Quart room temperature water for a “boost”.
-) You can also try feeding scrambled eggs and/or plain yogurt

Hope this proves useful to you and the rest of Backyard Chickens. Thanks again for your help!!!!!!

 

[Peeps61]

Hi - I recently purchased 7 new chicks, all the same age. Two are Buff Brahmas, two are RIR's and Amercaucanas and the last three are cochins. I noticed after two weeks (last night) that all the cochins are small, compared with the other chicks, but seem to be feathering at the same rate. However, they are very friendly and huddle with the other chicks when they are sleeping. You may have one that just needs a little TLC. She'll probably be the biggest bird in your flock one day!

 

[Lucky32474]

My lil white cochin standard is 3 1/2 weeks old looks big but very fluffy; love her feet... she has never been shy or hard to feed. She’s in with 4 other breeds doing quite well. Best of luck with your chick