Good morning! I'm a first-timer with 6 BRs who are 2.5 weeks old. One is smaller than the rest. While the others are consistent with their "OMG, the sky is falling! Oh wait, you have food!" behavior (which is really funny to watch), the little one never seems to catch on. She always hides literally underneath the bigger ones. She seems to sit down more than the others, but I've seen her scratch and peck, eat and drink, so I don't think she has a physical problem. I think she's just weird, ha ha! The other ones are starting to eat from my hand when I slowly reach in there with a handful of chick feed. She will never even come close. I'm not taking this personally because frankly, they will be egg/meat sources for us, but she's acting different enough to stand out. No one's picking on her, or each other for that matter. While I see skin poking through on each of them, I'm assuming it's because the fuzz is leaving as they get feathers, which are all coming in really well. I see no evidence of wounds/blood/scabs, pasty butt, colds/sickness, irregular poop, etc. Does she just have a smaller peabrain than usual? lol!
Some chicks just have that type of "shy" behavior for whatever reason. If she's eating, drinking, and pecking like the others, then I would say she is just fine. Just shy!
just keep an eye on her and make sure the others are not pushing her out of the way to feed...maybe add another frrder in there to ease up on the rush and crowd at the feeders..
Quote:I agree. My favorite chick has always been the smallest. She wasn't really getting picked on, but she has a vision problem, it takes her longer to eat and the others weren't allowing her that time. I believe a second feeder is a must, even in a small flock.
Thanks for the insight! There's really no room for a 2nd feeder in the brooder (these guys are getting huge, quick!) but I've been putting secret stashes of chick feed in her favorite corner, then distracting the others. I think she's getting enough food - she's not scrawny or anything, just petite, lol. They're about ready to go outside, probably at the end of the week, and there will be room for another feeder in the coop. Thanks, everyone!
