RIR Chick not growing and pooping whole food

[TipsyDog]

I have a 7 week old RIR chick which is 25% smaller than the others. They eat starter crumbles and also occasionaly get yogurt, applesauce, egg yolks, watermelon, ricotta, strawberries. they have plenty of sand for grit and bathing. She lives in the coop and roosts with the others and spends the days out in the run eating grass too.

This chick seems to be lowest in the pecking order, but I've watched and she does get to food and water fine. She poops out starter crumbles whole in a light brown (milk chocolate) poop color. She tends to close her eyes to snooze more than the others also.

Her feet are very small as is her comb (compared to the others) and her feet are now starting to turn a pale light skin color, not the yellow the other birds have!

It almost seems as if she's not getting enough nutrition, even though she's eating. Anyone have any advice for me?

Thanks.

 

[horsejody]

I would give her more yogurt. Maybe it can be a probiotic for her and help her digestion. Also make sure that she has adequate grit.

 

[TipsyDog]

She seems to have plenty of grit and the yogurt is mixed in mash which she gets some of.

She seems to be getting weaker and more timid!

Is this a genetic defect or is there something I can do?

 

[mrbstephens]

Any blood in the poop? Maybe she has cocci? If so, she needs meds quickly.

 

[TipsyDog]

No. No blood in any poop anywhere. This chick is just not growing, much smaller and some starter comes right through in the poop. Like there is no digestion of the food!

I don't know what to do.

 

[mrbstephens]

I wish I knew. I have to leave that one up to someone with more experience. Good luck.