Are my chicks underweight?

WendyF

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5 Years
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Hi, I have (5) 3-week old chicks. Every time I pick them up, I can feel a bone in the center of their chests. Is it normal for this breast bone to be prominent in young chicks? I feed them medicated chick starter (Manna Pro), always available. I also give them a little bit of plain greek yogurt sprinkled with crumbled boiled egg yolk & ground up raw oatmeal every day as a treat. But not much, about 2 tablespoons for all 5 chicks to share. I make grit available each day in their brooder since I started this treat. I also put one tablespoon of raw organic apple cider vinegar in each gallon of their water. I do the yogurt, oatmeal, and ACV because each chick has been prone to diarrhea off & on since they arrived, and I think it's due to the medication in their starter. They all act healthy, eat vigorously, drink normally, and besides the occasional diarrhea, poop normally. A few times a day, i can see that their crops are full. Oh, and for the last week, I have been taking them outside each day to 'free range' or at least learn about it (with me hovering like a wraith, ready to strike any potential predator with my lightning bolt of fierce mama hen protectiveness at any moment, LOL). They have all pecked at our grass, caught little bugs & picked up grit from the ground. Should I be concerned about their weight? Should I switch from medicated to organic starter?
 
That bone is perfectly normal. Always go more by how the bird looks and acts than how heavy it feels. If it looks healthy, is active and productive, you're good to go.
 

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