Runt Chicks?

[waitingforrapture]

I received my straight run of "rarest of the rare" mix of 25 chicks. One was dead upon arrival and now I have three that look smaller than others. Other with the same markings are dong ok. These guys sleep way more. I moved to seperate brooding tank this morning hoping they can get the rest needed. While doing this a moth flew in and all peeps went into attck mode and ate it. One peep lost a toe and it bled. I stopped bleeding but others started attacking it. I put it in with the sleepy guys. I cleaned it w/ peroxide and put a bandaid/splint on it as seen elswhere on this forum. Any advice for runty chicks? They still eat, drink, and poop, they just sleep more.

 

[rachiegirl]

While they can be runty chicks, they can also be a different breed. Some bantam breeds are smaller than others. You generally cannot go by color as far as telling which breed is which, unless the color is breed specific. The "chipmunk" pattern for example can be anything from an EE to an OEGB. I would say as long as they are eating, pooing and behaving normally while awake, I wouldn't worry about it overmuch. They will all eventually catch up and everyone will be where they should.

Good Luck!

 

[RAWR]

Quote:
ya, she kinda took the words out of my mouth :]

 

[waitingforrapture]

Thanks for the information. I have one fatality whatever breed it is. I've tried to reach the hatchery to ask what kinds they are. I am getting automated messages about them being busy. Now the others have decided to start pecking a different peep's foot. They won't leave it alone. I put the "runt" back in with the rest, it's still eating and pooing. I put the injured foot and the one that was being attacked in side chamber. They seem fine except for hurt foot and pecked foot. If they make it through the night, I guess they will survive.

 

[RAWR]

good point