Loner chick

[ChelsieW]

Hey all,
So, I got nine baby hen chicks in December. They're six weeks old. I live in Utah and it is super cold right now so we kept them in a brooder in the heated garage for as long as possible. Moved them to the coop about 10 days ago.
I've had chickens in the past but this is the first time I've gotten chicks so it's been an experience, lol.
Anyway, these nine are the only chickens I currently have. They are a variety of breeds. Two are gold laced Wyandottes and another is a silver laced Wyandotte. The others are all different breeds but they have been together since they hatched.
Okay... sorry for the long intro. We have one, the smallest one, who we keep finding alone outside of the coop in the run. The other eight will be inside the coop and she will be huddled under the ramp going into the coop. We put her back in and later go out to find her alone again outside. I've watched them when they're all out in the run together and haven't seen any of them picking on her but she is the smallest and she is the most mild tempered. She's the sweet girl of the group. Loves to be held, etc.
She's a Black Copper Maran.
How concerned should I be? What can we do? I don't really understand what is happening but it gets VERY cold here at night (zero and below) and I'm concerned about it.
I included some pics for reference. The first one shows her with several of the others. Everything seemed fine.
The second pic was later and she is huddled under the ramp again alone.

 

[Wezdin]

Might seem like a dumb question, but are her eyes working properly? I had a half blind cockerel that was fine sitting wherever he was. She definitley should go inside, I would try putting something else under the ramp so that she cant sit there. In her eyes the next best place to keep warm will be the coop.

 

[ChelsieW]

I've looked her over really carefully and she seems perfectly healthy. I thought maybe she was sick or something but she actually seems fine. Her eyes seem normal to look at. She acts like all the other hens when they're all outside.
I'm just not sure if she is going out there, like running away from one of the more dominant hens or if they're pushing her out of the coop or what

 

[Wezdin]

Maybe someone else will chime in with advice but the main thing to remember is that we're dealing with chickens, no matter what people tell you they are not overly smart. If nothing seems wrong with her (no bad poops or anything) I would try putting something where she sits and put her in the coop every night until she learns.

 

[Lizzy733]

Have you ever observed her going 'up' the ramp on her own? My silkie took 'ages' to learn how to navigate our ramps which are, admittedly, going up to a waist high coop. If you place her 'on' the ramp, how does she react? You may need to place her half-way and coax her up the ramp with treats so she overcomes any fears if that's what's holding her back. *down was less of a challenge for my girl*
Is she a loner as well or does she flock when the others are with her? For sight, aside from the eyes looking clear, does she seem to react to movements near her face? I find all chicks like to worry shiny things like rings - maybe see if she acknowledges something like this?

 

[azygous]

She appears to be the same size as the others, but have you weighed her and compared her weight to the others?

That can tell you a lot if she's not as heavy as the others. Then you would need to rule out poor eyesight by testing her (alone) with some food on the ground to see if she struggles to pick it up.

Also, you need to observe her at the feeder with the others. Is she able to muscle her way to the food and get her share?

My hunch is she's timid by nature and may not be getting enough to eat. Therefore she may be operating at a deficit and is weak. This would aggravate her predicament.

(1) If you determine she's underweight, she needs supplementary feeding to bulk her back up. Tofu with poultry Nutri-drench is a favorite of mine and also soft boiled egg.

(2) If she can't see her food, you will need to make special arrangements so she gets enough to eat.

(3) If she's too timid to find a place in the social order, she needs to be given protection while she gains weight, gets stronger, and develops self confidence. A special safe pen during the day in the run with her own food and water is how you do this. At night, place her with the others.