Is something wrong with one of my chicks?

[JewranieChicks]

Hello,

I have a new flock of 11 chicks that are about 4 weeks old. I bought all of them the same day. All but one of them are happy, active and thriving. There is one that I am worried about. She is half the size of the others and not nearly as feathered. I know she is eating, drinking, and pooping (definitely no pasty butt). She still seems somewhat lethargic and wobbly sometimes when she's walking around. Her balance isn't great. If one of the other chicks bumps her she will fall over and just lay there. She will come out of the coop with the others when I let them out for some play time and she will scratch about and peck at the ground like the others. However, she won't do it for long and she will seem to just get tired and lay down. If the other chicks get too close and walk all over her she just lays there and lets them. Or if they lay on her she doesn't try to get them off or get out from under, she just lays there and lets them. All of the other chicks will skidattle when I reach to pick them up and put up a fuss when I do pick them up but this little one doesn't even try to get away or pitch a fuss when I hold her. It just doesn't make sense to me and it doesn't seem like she's alright. I've had flocks before but never had this issue with any of them. I'm not sure if she's sick or just the runt, if there is such a thing with chicks. Does anyone have any insight you could give me. What can I do to help this little one. See the attached photo. She is the one in the middle laying down. You can see just how much small she is than the others and they are the same age.

 

[Chicken_Obsesser]

@azygous @Wyorp Rock might know more.

 

[Debbie292d]

Several years ago I had what I called a "runt" too. She was half their size but she was rambunctious and kept up with the rest and didn't take any guff. She's now about 6 years old and still half the size of a regular silkie.

For yours, what I'd do is what I did for a blind chick I adopted that was skin and bones. I kept her inside for about two weeks, giving her Poultry Cell in her water every other day, and making her crumbles wet and mixing in Kaytee Exact +Fat baby parrot food. After two weeks, she was so much healthier, and after a month, she regained her sight, and to this day, she is with the flock.

I don't know if yours is going to catch up, but I'd try this to see if it might jump-start her. If not, at least it will make her stronger.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

There is one that I am worried about. She is half the size of the others and not nearly as feathered. I know she is eating, drinking, and pooping (definitely no pasty butt). She still seems somewhat lethargic and wobbly sometimes when she's walking around. Her balance isn't great. If one of the other chicks bumps her she will fall over and just lay there.

However, she won't do it for long and she will seem to just get tired and lay down. If the other chicks get too close and walk all over her she just lays there and lets them. Or if they lay on her she doesn't try to get them off or get out from under, she just lays there and lets them.

What's her poop like?

I'd start her on vitamin therapy to see if that helps. Give 400IU Vitamin E and 1/4 tablet B-Complex daily. Take her aside and give her a little scrambled egg as a daily treat, this will also help with the uptake of E.

I'd leave her with her flock so you don't have worry about reintroducing her later on. Chicks establish their order fairly quickly, it's probably for the most part been determined and for now at least she's part of the "flock".

 

[Debbie292d]

What's her poop like?

I'd start her on vitamin therapy to see if that helps. Give 400IU Vitamin E and 1/4 tablet B-Complex daily. Take her aside and give her a little scrambled egg as a daily treat, this will also help with the uptake of E.

I'd leave her with her flock so you don't have worry about reintroducing her later on. Chicks establish their order fairly quickly, it's probably for the most part been determined and for now at least she's part of the "flock".

I've never had issues reintroducing mine to the flock, but then again, I've only had two adults in this house for any length of time, so maybe I got lucky.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I've never had issues reintroducing mine to the flock, but then again, I've only had two adults in this house for any length of time, so maybe I got lucky.

Could be. What breeds(?)that can also play a factor.

I see what looks like Barred Plymouth Rocks and perhaps some RIR in that batch of chicks, could be wrong. Sometimes they play nice, but not always.

 

[Debbie292d]

Could be. What breeds(?)that can also play a factor.

I see what looks like Barred Plymouth Rocks and perhaps some RIR in that batch of chicks, could be wrong. Sometimes they play nice, but not always.

Just a load of silkies here. They usually play nice, but I've had a couple of hens I've pulled due to being mean and selfish. A few days in the broody jail gives them an attitude adjustment.