Chick not growing

[SheilaSue]

My RIR chicks are 3 weeks old. One chick is barely growing. She is so much smaller she can stand under the others. Also, one talon is turned inward, so she hops to food & water. She is usually under the heat lamp, but does roam occasionally in the tank. What's wrong with her? I don't want to get rid of her if she's just a slow grower & her handicap. Thank you!

 

[chickenweirdo1]

I ordered some Light Brahmas and the same thing happened. I thought it was sick but it's a year old now and i found out it's a bantam.
One of my full grown chickens has had that inward talon since it was a chick and it hasn't affected her. But if its hopping i don't quite know.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Welcome to BYC. I'm sorry to hear you have a struggling chick.
When you say that one talon is turned under are you referring to the toe itself or the nail at the end of the toe? The two conditions are quite different as would be the possible treatment courses.
Is the chick feathering out or maintaining considerably more fuzz than the other chicks?

 

[SheilaSue]

Ty both for replying. Her entire talon is turned inward. She is more fuzzy, but she is getting feathers. She just seems to be retarded in growth, but otherwise healthy.

 

[chickenweirdo1]

One of my chickens i think is mentally challenged just like that . She didn't lay an egg until about 1 year old and its been about 6 months since then and I've probably only got two eggs from her since then. She can't run like the rest of my chickens, every time she tries to run she falls. Its pretty funny but she has had multiple predators attack due to it. And just isn't as smart as my other chickens.

 

[drumstick diva]

Is the chick eating, drinking, pooing like the others? Does she interact with them? She may very well be a bantam or maybe hatched from a pullet egg. Some toe issues can be straightened out but, the earliest treatments after hatch are generally more likely to succeed.

 

[drumstick diva]

I don't believe any chickens are what someone would call smart. Silkies as a breed are considered to be 'slow". Yet, if their big crests and beards are trimmed back the IQ's rise quite a bit. This is because the feathers are obscuring their vision. Has nothing to do with brains. Also birds raised in cages will appear much duller that birds that have had many experiences, grass, socialization , etc

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!