One chick with very slow growth?

[Buckhunter76]

I have 7 barred rock chicks, all hatchery sexed as hens, there are 3 of the 7 that are growing really slow, and one of the 3 looks like she hasn't grown hardly at all, I'm just gonna let nature take its course, they're all healthy and feathered out. I wouldn't worry about her,

 

[LovemyBabies]

we lost our Baby Runt today.... just was not meant for her to be with the other birds =(

 

[FirewifeJess]

we lost our Baby Runt today.... just was not meant for her to be with the other birds =(

Oh no I'm so sorry!! Sad day At least she didn't seem to suffer, even if she was a little "off" for a while.

 

[hunter109]

they just mature in diffrent ways but they will catch up with the rest

 

[kckane68]

Hi! I saw your post about your "runt" baby chicken from 2012. I have a similar situation. Did your runt ever have a growth spurt? Did she survive?

 

[mtnviewfarms]

Hi Firewife - I've been growing out 100 day old chicks twice per year now for the last four years and in my experience one of two things occurs in your 'little' chicks situation.

1 ) Genetically the chick is just 'small' and will eventually grow up and feather out like her sibs - just will take longer. I carefully watch these 'little ones' to make sure they are not being bullied and pushed around by the larger chicks and ironically - the smaller 'runts' are often the most lively and do the pushing and shoving, pecking, etc. of the larger birds - so funny - the tiny one is the 'bully'. As long as they are 'holding their own' physically with the other birds and eating and drinking normally I leave them alone. Usually there comes a day a couple of months down the road when I'm doing my twice daily 'chick checks' feeding and watering, etc. and I'm looking for 'the runt' and she is nowhere to be found!
OMG I think - something has happend to her. Then I look even closer and am shocked to see that she is nearly as large as her siblings now and it seemed to 'almost happen overnight' - nature is so funny isn't it?

2 ) This is the sad scenario and I hope it will not be the case with your little one. At first all seems ok, eating, drinking and sleeping as well as playing with the sibs - several days even a week goes by and all seems ok but you notice she is not growing like the others. Then she seems to need sleep than sibs, hangs her head - looks droopy, etc. I add 'Vital Nutrients' ( purchased from Meyer ) to all of my chicks water for the first week of life then switch over to adding Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother to their water from then on. Ultimately this little chick passes away and it is so very sad. It seems that a few chicks are unable - for whatever reason - probably some kind of genetic defect - to process their food - their bodies don't seem able to make use of it and they eventually die.

Let us know how your little chick progresses - I've got my fingers xed for number one!

Elaine

 

[kckane68]

Although you're not responding to me, I found your post very helpful. I have five baby chickens (four were hatched on April 9, the fifth was hatched on April 13). OF the four hatched on April 9, two are Golden Buffs (Red Stars). One GB is growing well: she's feathering out along with two of her sisters hatched on the same date. The second GB is lively: eating, drinking, pecking, and sleeping quite normally when compared to her sisters. And no one is pecking at her. But, she is smaller than the rest of the three hatched on the same date and feathering quite slowly. The fifth baby, hatched on April 13, is beginning to surpass her in growth. Because the "runt" is a GB, a sex-linked breed, I don't think she would end up being a roo. I've read that roos can grow more slowly. I'm concerned about the "runt's" slow growth, but it seems like your experience is saying that she could just be small and she'll be fine; or she may not make it for whatever reason.

Is there anything I can do to encourage her growth? Mealworms? Protein? They get water with electrolytes and probiotics in it, and they're eating a starter/grower feed with 18% protein.

 

[karenbeck]

I have a Silver Laced Cochin who is the runt and only feather legged of my bunch. They bullied her and injured her leg by being stepped on. She was not using the leg at all on Friday and I moved her to a separate brooder with treated water and her own food. I massaged the leg for fear of slipped tendon every couple of hours. I put brewer yeast on Greek yogurt and fed her mashed tomatoes, meal worms. I am happy to say she is much improved and walking with a slight limp but seems much more happy not being pushed around by the big girls. I have seen where they are slow growers and if I had it to do all over I would have gotten two of this breed. Think they are picking on the feather legged! She stretched out the injured leg behind her this morning and was able to get on the mini roost I have for her.

 

[dstinett]

Sounds like you just got yourself a lap chicken. What breeds do you have her with? They are known to be one of the most laid back breeds and picked on by others. Could you pick out a few smaller chicks from your bunch and put with her? Or do they all pick on her?

 

[emjs181]

I'm having this very same issue. My runt is almost half the size of the other 3 now, but she seems to be eating and running around just fine. A little pasty, but we're keeping it clear. Can someone tell me the benefit of ACV in the water?