Houdan Chick Runt??

[Logan160]

Good afternoon! I have this sweet mottled houdan chick from mypetchicken.com and she is a great eater, drinker, ect. But she is SMALL… like even smaller than my polish and they are all the same age. She never had any issues, but the first week when I noticed she was smaller and needed more heat I did give her some nutridrench with mash to help her get some extra vitamins, the first 3 days after they arrived they had BVS electrolytes and vitamins in their water.

She has no issues getting around, holding her own (she doesn’t get bullied at all) and will shove her way to the feeder at every opportunity. She is eating Natures best organic non medicated feed.

Should I worry about her? This is her at 2 weeks and her body is very round and her wings are very awkwardly big for her small body… of course I am attached to this chick now lol she has shown zero weakness or issues. She eats and drinks with the others all day but she doesn’t run around as much as the bigger girls.

This is her a week ago you can see not much change…

I am really hoping she can catch up week 3 and 4.. is there anything I can do to help? Can she be happy small? With her body being a small round shape can that cause issues?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Contact MyPetChicken and chat with them. See if they have any insights.

One thought: is she bantam while the others are not? Does she look like she is not growing just because she is growing slower than the others?

More likely, she might be a runt. For whatever reason occasionally one just doesn't grow. Often runts are fine with the flock, just mix right in. They may not lay as many eggs or as big of an egg but are healthy, active, and long lived. Or there could be something wrong with her that means a short life. It is highly unlikely it is anything you can fix, just the way she hatched. I'd give her a chance and enjoy her while you can.

 

[Logan160]

Contact MyPetChicken and chat with them. See if they have any insights.

One thought: is she bantam while the others are not? Does she look like she is not growing just because she is growing slower than the others?

More likely, she might be a runt. For whatever reason occasionally one just doesn't grow. Often runts are fine with the flock, just mix right in. They may not lay as many eggs or as big of an egg but are healthy, active, and long lived. Or there could be something wrong with her that means a short life. It is highly unlikely it is anything you can fix, just the way she hatched. I'd give her a chance and enjoy her while you can.

They basically said to keep an eye on her and report back! They said sometimes chicks grow more in the 3rd week!

I just wanted to see if anyone else had a similar experience with houdans (maybe this is normal?) but I am not worried about egg production, mainly that she can live a healthy life! Is there a point where I should worry more about her life being shortened? Like if by 4 weeks there isn’t more growth then be concerned?

if she grew in size it’s not noticeable to me other than her having tail feathers!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I personally have not seen this with my flock, not to your extent. There have been other threads on this forum where people had them and they did great.

I don't see that there is anything you can do other than give her a chance.

 

[Logan160]

I personally have not seen this with my flock, not to your extent. There have been other threads on this forum where people had them and they did great.

I don't see that there is anything you can do other than give her a chance.

Yeah I saw a few success stories! Just not much on houdans so I’m hoping it’s just a normal thing since they are ornamental!

fingers crossed she gets to be a healthy hen!