Chicks growing at 2 different rates - Why?

[HuffleClaw]

They’re 4 weeks old now and some of them are growing normally... others look like they would at 1.5 weeks old. Any ideas as to why this is? They’re being raised by a broody.
Normal size:
(Sorry for the blurry pic)

And the tiny size:

About 1/2 are growing normally and 1/2 are not. They all eat starter feed, if that helps.

They are all supposed to be largefowl Wyandottes... I don’t think they are bantam, because the person who sold them to me only has largefowl as far as I know. The smaller ones all seem lighter than the bigger ones, but they all eat and I don’t think they’re getting bullied.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

I have the same experience, some would say failure to thrive. Some of mine are just slow growers. Long as they are healthy and eating/drinking just keep an eye on them.

 

[HuffleClaw]

Possible failure to thrive? My runts are all still alive and kicking lol.

I’m glad to hear that! I hope these babies make it alright

 

[HuffleClaw]

Well they are in this tote because they almost drowned with the rain.... but all are up and running now and should be back outside soon. Here they all are with their mom

 

[123RedBeard]

First guess is genetics ... different parent(s)?

Second guess is runt(s) ... caused by poor nutritional absorbtion ... Probiotic's may help ... read this ... https://metzerfarms.blogspot.com/2018/03/what-causes-runts.html?m=1 ... yogurt could help, or get a poultry probiotic ...

And thirdly ... both my first and second guesses could be related to each other ...

 

[Mysticalsys]

I had a baby chick that had this problem. I hatched 10 eggs and all its siblings grew fine but it stayed the size of a newly hatched baby. at 4 weeks old i found it dead in the brooder.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

I had a baby chick that had this problem. I hatched 10 eggs and all its siblings grew fine but it stayed the size of a newly hatched baby. at 4 weeks old i found it dead in the brooder.

Possible failure to thrive? My runts are all still alive and kicking lol.

 

[WhoDatChick]

They’re 4 weeks old now and some of them are growing normally... others look like they would at 1.5 weeks old. Any ideas as to why this is? They’re being raised by a broody.
Normal size:
(Sorry for the blurry pic)

View attachment 1805949
And the tiny size:
View attachment 1805951 View attachment 1805950

About 1/2 are growing normally and 1/2 are not. They all eat starter feed, if that helps.

They are all supposed to be largefowl Wyandottes... I don’t think they are bantam, because the person who sold them to me only has largefowl as far as I know. The smaller ones all seem lighter than the bigger ones, but they all eat and I don’t think they’re getting bullied.

Wow... what a difference! That’s weird...

 

[HuffleClaw]

They run around just like the others... There are 9 chicks, and tomorrow I’ll count how many normal and how many tiny ones there are.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

I’m glad to hear that! I hope these babies make it alright

I just watch for the others picking on them, and the eating/drinking enough. I have had 3 do great in the end. Best of luck, don't stress to much.