Lone chick

[marybhow]

I have a chick that isn't growing like the rest... whenever I keep her in the brooder with the 4 other much larger chicks (same age) she seems to decline. Whenever I isolate her, within a few days she bounces right back and even has flown out of her quarantine area (much to my family's surprise). I was recommended to get her a few bantam chicks as friends, because she's going to get lonely, and I don't want her to be isolated and have a lack of socialization. I want her to be able to integrate into the rest of the flock rather than be attached to me. Thoughts on the idea of getting a few smaller chicks as friends? We figured if they were bantam chicks they'd grow to be about her size when she's full grown - assuming she doesn't hit a growth spurt. My only worry is that she will peck them... but hypothetically, doesn't she have a better chance of merging into the flock if she hasn't been isolated? I'm new to chicken keeping and just want to do best by her. I know if I keep her in the brooder with the big girls she won't make it.. after a day with them, she stands under the light with her eyes closed and doesn't eat or drink. I'm thinking she must be getting pushed off the food & water even though there's multiple food and water sources.

 

[N F C]

How's your lonely chick doing now?

If you haven't already, you could get her 2 or 3 bantams for company. When the time comes, I think it's easier to integrate multiple birds rather than just one lone one.

I hope things are going better for her now.

Best of luck!

 

[homestead 101]

I had one that was about half the size of my other chicks, by three weeks u could see she was smaller. By 6 weeks they were all the same size.

 

[marybhow]

That's interesting. Maybe my chick will catch up. I got her a few smaller friends and she's much more content. Thanks to both of you for the input.