Dwarf chicken

[munchkin]

A couple of years ago our bantams hatched some chicks, and one of them as a TINY rooster (when adult he was 1/2 the siz of all the others..
Just wondering if others have had this occur & is it common? He did not live for long, only about 18 months.. He suddenly had trouble breathing, lost his appetite & died...

 

[robin416]

It actually occurs pretty often. I have one that is ugly, ugly, ugly but she's such a hoot personality wise that I've kept her around. Some dwarfs do have a problem with malabsorption of nutrients and when supplemented will grow into normal size, healthy birds. At 18 months I would think that something other than his dwarfism caused his rapid decline. That's the bad thing about these guys, the mystery of sudden unexplained death.

 

[bikergal7835]

Hello everybody;
I am new to the backyard chickens group. I am writing because I have what appears to be a new dwarf chicken. My babies are too young to tell what gender they are, but it has become increasingly obvious that this little one is different that the others. These chicks are the offspring of my hens and Rhode Island Red rooster. If anyone can offer me some advice or information to help me with this little guy I would love to see it.
Thanks for your time
bikergal