Any thoughts on this runt?

[nbenevento]

I have a couple runts in my newest flock. They are Black Copper Marans and are 4 weeks old today. The one in this picture looks like it is a week old! I got 10 chicks and everything about all of them is the same. They are all from the same hatch, same parents, are in the same brooder with the same food. They all, including the runts, are eating and seem very healthy. They are just runts, I guess. Does anyone have any thoughts on their future wellness? I have never had a runt this small. Any previous ones caught up to the rest eventually but it seems impossible for this one. The one on the right is the average size of the rest of the flock. Obviously the one on the left is the runt. It's not even feathering like the rest. She is still fuzzy with some feathers on her back.

 

[FFAChickenFan]

Hmmm, that is pretty peculiar. I would give her some more time before considering anything like culling, especially if her siblings eventually caught up, since it just might take her longer than the others. It could be bad genetics of course, are these from your own flock or did you pick them up from somewhere else? Store birds often aren't perfect, so some sort of faulty genes may be playing a role.

Other than that... if they seem healthy and they're able to get food and water without the other chickens out-competing them or picking at them, there's nothing really obviously wrong that needs attention. Maybe just consider waiting it out?

 

[nbenevento]

I'm definitely going to wait it out because like I said, there seems to be no health issue except that she is small. They came from a small, local, home based hatchery. I picked them up and saw their flock and they are beautiful. I got them for the eggs so showing them is not a consideration either. I just don't want some unexpected problem to pop up that I am not familiar with that is causing her to be a runt. Thanks for the input.

 

[settingdusk]

Hybrid? Mutation? Rogue roo? Miniature? Looks healthy, maybe you got a lucky mutation or something. People like new... They have to be a different age.

 

[nbenevento]

Just in case anyone is curious, my little runt died today. I could not see any obvious illness and no other chicks are sick. She just never thrived.

 

[shellyjimrye]

Sorry to hear that!

 

[randys]

I always favor the underdog, sorry for your loss.

Randy