Has anyone seen this before / can help identify the issue with this 16 week old cockerel?

[kjarva]

Hey everyone, I was wondering if anyone has seen this before in their birds? I've only kept chickens for a few years, and this year is my first year with seramas specifically, so wanted to see if someone more knowledgeable than I am can chime in. All 3 of these serama cockerels are 16 weeks old, all hatched on the same day. The little white in the pictures still has his chick fuzz on his head, it's not feathered yet and even up to last week I thought he was a she, as there was zero comb or wattle development until this week while his brother developed ages ago. Then there is the obvious massive size difference between the 3. He's still the size and weight of a chick, although he does seem otherwise perfectly healthy, has a good appetite etc.

Just wondering if something like this is fairly common, or just one of those things. I'll be keeping him regardless, he's my clingiest boy and would think life was complete if he could just be where I am and get cuddles when he feels like it.

 

[nuthatched]

Probably a runt or malformed somewhere

 

[FarmerGirl101]

I just saw someone else post about a similar issue with a 4 month old hen today. He likely has a genetic mutation that is causing this. In some cases it can be caused from a deficiency of some kind via their diet but since the others are doing fine this is likely not the reason. You can supplement with liquid vitamins like poultry cell in case this is the reason but I'm not inclined to think that is the cause. As long as he is eating well then you should be all good. One warning though, I found that chickens with these genetic abnormalities in which they develop a lot smaller than they should tend not to live as long. Wishing him all the best!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Hi, I don't know if you have hens or plan to hatch, but I'd try to be real careful not to hatch any fertilized by him.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

Hi, I don't know if you have hens or plan to hatch, but I'd try to be real careful not to hatch any fertilized by him.

Agreed. You don't want to pass this down.

 

[kjarva]

Thanks for all the replies! Fortunately, I wouldn't dream of trying to breed from him and he's currently part of my small bachelor flock, so there's no chance of him getting into my hens. I'll definitely try giving extra vitamins etc. in their water although I'm leaning towards it being a genetic issue. He'll live out his days as a hopefully happy boy with the rest of my single miscreants.