My chick is not growing

[Nonnie195]

Just an update...The little one, Rudy, is fine and is now broody. On a sad note, I had another one, Lacie, that died. She was larger than my little Rudy, but still smaller than the rest. Both had impacted crops. After Lacie died I worked with Rudy several times a day to try to get her crop functioning properly. I did a lot of rubbing. Then, about two months ago we had to put another one down. She too had crop issues. After I explained to the vet about Rudy and Lacie, she said that it seemed like there seemed to be some type of structural issue with them. It did not make me feel any better. These are English orpingtons and are very, very large. The vet told me that with her size and her plumage, it could be hard to see. Unfortunately, when I did realize there was a problem, it was too late. I have tried to "check" them more frequently and have read that when they open their mouth and stretch their neck out, it is an indication of them trying to get the food out of the crop. After learning that, I have since noticed Rudy do it a couple of times. I immediately get ahold of her and massage her crop. She doesn't like it but that is ok. I just hate learning things the hard way.

 

[Nonnie195]

Here is a pic of Rudy sitting on her eggs. I hope to have some new chickies in a week or so.

 

[TLynnP]

I was relieved to see this thread. I have a runt as well. She eats, drinks and poops like the others but hasn't grown much except for her wings. They are almost to big for her. However, she does cry a lot and when not eating or drinking sits under the heat lamp. Not sure if I should up the heat in the brooder or not. When I hold her and cup her in my hands it calms her down. The other chicks don't mind the temperature in the brooder.

 

[kaylanoto]

I had this same situation with my chicks... he was a runt, also might have been blind, but had the sweetest and biggest personality that I've ever had before.. he didn't grow a bit, from two months to 4 days old... I would really look into doing anything you can to ensure your runt will grow, because unfortunately mine passed away due to his bigger peers.... so sad they just rattled him around too much for him to physically handle and I'd hate for that to happen to you, best of luck truly! if I knew to do something I would go back and change do everything I could in a heart beat!

 

[DonaldG]

We have one chick that is a lot smaller than the others. I'll have to try the scrAmbled egg bit and maybe applesauce. Feel sorry for the little thing but the others don't bully her or anything so we will see what happens.

 

[bucky52]

I have a runt also.she was one of six I purchased from tractor supply two weeks ago.She would eat and push her way through all the bigger ones.She was not growing like the rest.this morning I noticed her laying down on her side.when she got up she staggered and sat back down.I watched her and her legs look as if they have gotten stiff.I did give her some drops of poly sol vitamins.
I am so worried bout this little one.

 

[ultimate acres]

I know this is an old thread but TLynnP I was curious to find out what happened with yours. I now have the same issue. They are 2 weeks old. She is not peeping as loudly or as often as she was but looks tired a lot. I was wondering if it was heart or lung problems. She is still pretty much the size she was when she hatched. Her feathers are growing but not as fast at the other chicks. I was debating separating her form them as she does get knocked around when they eat. Here is a picture of her and a litter mate when they were about 1.5 weeks old. You can see much more wind feather development in the big one and the big one has a tail starting but the little one doesn't yet.

 

[marcz001]

This is exactly how mine look right now. How is the little one doing now?

 

[DreamsInPink]

I also had one like this that I got at TSC. She was considerably smaller and would not eat or drink. I tried to coax her to at least drink water with electrolytes and polyvisol, but she wanted no part of it. Sadly she died just a couple days after we brought her home.

 

[ultimate acres]

Mine is doing great. not as big as the rest of it's siblings but fully feathered now. He is a little cockerel and sitting on my arm
as I type LOL. He is a little spoiled as he had to stay in the house when the rest went out as he didn't have enough feathers to keep warm when they did. I will attach a pic of him with his brother.