Chick not gaining weight

[Joalla]

Hi all! This is my first time raising backyard chicks so i wanted to get some input to see if I’m worrying needlessly. I got three babies from the feed store last saturday, and while two have been gaining weight steadily, the welsummer (already the smallest) doesn't seem to be growing and did experience a drop in weight in the first few days.

Day	Barred Rock	Barnevelder	Welsummer
Sun	42g	41g	36g
Mon	44g	41g	35g
Tues	49g	43g	33g
Today	54g	47g	36g

On Tuesday I mixed in a mashed egg yolk with everyone’s feed for a nutrition boost, which seems to have helped get her back to the first day’s weight. The welly seems about as active as the other two, maybe slightly more prone to naps. She does peck at the litter more, but seems to get it when her broodermates go for the food. Bullying doesnt seem to be a huge problem since there is more than enough space for everyone. Poops look normal? Mix of caecal and regular brown with white, possibly more caecal but its hard to match without seeing who dropped it.

Suggestions? Is it possible this was new brooder stress and i should just keep an eye to make sure weight continues going up or should I be looking at medications or other supplements?

Thanks for your patience with new mom anxiety!!

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Are you weighing them at the same time every day? Chicks stay pretty tiny for the first few days. I don't know much about their weight gain, but even human babies can drop weight in the first day or two before picking it back up. If your chick is active and eating, I wouldn't worry just yet, besides, she did regain what she lost.

 

[Joalla]

Are you weighing them at the same time every day? Chicks stay pretty tiny for the first few days. I don't know much about their weight gain, but even human babies can drop weight in the first day or two before picking it back up. If your chick is active and eating, I wouldn't worry just yet, besides, she did regain what she lost.

Yup, weighing them when I wake up along with changing water and clearing the feeder. That’s what I was hoping to hear, thank you!

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Yup, weighing them when I wake up along with changing water and clearing the feeder. That’s what I was hoping to hear, thank you!

I am kind of curious though to see their weight gain if you would care to post an update in a week or two?

 

[Joalla]

I am kind of curious though to see their weight gain if you would care to post an update in a week or two?

Sure thing! The welly seems to have figured things out and is now gaining weight at a solid pace. I should add my local feed store gets chick deliveries Thursday mornings, so everyone was at least 4 days old when I picked them up.

Day	Barred Rock	Barnevelder	Welsummer
5/10	42g	41g	36g
5/11	44g	41g	35g
5/12	49g	43g	33g
5/13	54g	47g	36g
5/14	62g	51g	39g
5/15	69g	58g	45g
5/16	74g	63g	48g
5/17	83g	75g	54g
5/18	89g	82g	63g
5/19	95g	89g	70g
5/20	105g	96g	77g

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Oh wow this is neat! Thanks for your commitment! It does look like she was a bit slow off the start but look at her go now! My barred rock is the chunkiest of my birds too ^_^

 

[Joalla]

Just another week's update because it's crazy to me how fast they grow! Pretty sure this is my last week weighing because they are getting too rambunctious to sit on the food scale long enough to register a weight!

Day	Barred Rock	Barnevelder	Welsummer
5/10	42g	41g	36g
5/11	44g	41g	35g
5/12	49g	43g	33g
5/13	54g	47g	36g
5/14	62g	51g	39g
5/15	69g	58g	45g
5/16	74g	63g	48g
5/17	83g	75g	54g
5/18	89g	82g	63g
5/19	95g	89g	70g
5/20	105g	96g	77g
5/21	114g	106g	83g
5/22	120g	114g	93g
5/23	130g	126g	101g
5/24	142g	139g	112g
5/25	149g	148g	118g
5/26	162g	160g	134g
5/27	166g	167g	137g
5/28	175g	178g	146g

 

[humblehillsfarm]

As a bonus, they are used to you handling them in a consistent way!