Dominique chick is half the size of others

[cstrass]

We have 4 Dominique chicks that are 5 weeks old. I know there is variation, but one of them is much smaller than the others. Her wings and feathers are different also. She seems spunky, but she is so small. Should we try to feed her anything different to help her catch up? In the picture she is the one on the left. We have buffs, Wyandottes, and Australorps (2 of each) and all of them look gigantic next to Tiny.
I added a second photo with a Dominique, Tiny, and a Buff (l to r).

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, cstrass, and welcome to BYC. Happy you joined our community! If your chick is otherwise healthy and not getting picked on by the others due to their size difference, I'm not sure what you could or should do. Maybe she's just something of a runt.

 

[N F C]

Chickens don't all grow at the same rate, some are slower to mature than others (just like people). One of my Speckled Sussex was so much smaller, we named her Peanut. In time, she grew to be the same size as her sisters.

As long as your girl seems healthy, I wouldn't worry.

 

[drumstick diva]

Do step in, if the others decide to bully her or pluck her feathers. Make sure there are extra feed and water dishes because the "bigs," may decide not to let her near them. This may also be a reason she is smaller.

 

[QueenMisha]

Welcome to BYC! It's great to have you.

Looks like a failure to thrive, which is exactly what it sounds like. Not all chicks will be as healthy and thrifty as their flockmates.

 

[Teila]

G’Day from down under cstrass

Welcome!

I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun.

If you would like to share more pictures and stories of your flock, you have come to the right place. BYC’ers never tire of these and do not back away slowly or commence eye rolling when the photo album or home videos come out

 

[Hinklenglanstein]

Greetings from Kansas, cstrass, and welcome to BYC. Happy you joined our community! If your chick is otherwise healthy and not getting picked on by the others due to their size difference, I'm not sure what you could or should do. Maybe she's just something of a runt.

I am also from ks and have the same issue with one of my doms. I call her chicken little, she is meaner than my roos!

 

[rjohns39]

OP hasn't been here since March of 2017, so not likely to respond to you

 

[sourland]

OP hasn't been here since March of 2017, so not likely to respond to you

Zombie