Runt of the litter

[cuntryuppiechick]

I have 2 silkies and 4 wyandottes. One wyandotte arrived nearly two days later with assistance. She's so tiny compared to the others and is slower to get her bearings. She's so cuddly and sweet that we keep holding her all the time. When she's with the others I'm afraid she's getting trampled or she just hides in the corner behind the fluffy washcloth. She seems to feel much better when we hold her but is that ok? Does she need to be with the others? I know she's not as strong as we'd like and we may lose her but I'm not going to cull. I'll wait to see if she decides to go on her own or help her if she's suffering but for now she seems fine.

 

[AKsmama]

I personally think that is fine. I would do the same thing. I say if she's not in obvious pain or suffering, and is eating, drinking, and pooping ok, then why not give her a chance and some extra loving while you can? You never know, she could grow up to be the top chicken and never let you near her then!

 

[kemclaughlin]

We got a Rhode Island Red that was the smallest at the feed store. My son is small for his age so he likes really tiny stuff. I was really worried about her at first, but she is doing just fine. She is about a month old. She is growing and feathering and all of that. I would just wait it out.

 

[hbwbk]

I have a smaller speckled sussex she is eating and drinking. she has not feathered out as the other ones have but she has found ways of getting treats when the others are
pushing and grabing give her a chance she will figure it out.

 

[cuntryuppiechick]

She's doing well spending most of her time away from the others. She sleeps a lot and just wants to cuddle. She's not growing nearly as fast. We've named her Little Pip. The others are getting so active she gets knocked around quite a bit. It reminds me of when I was about 7 and went into the jump jump at the fair and there were teenagers in it with the little kids. I'm making sure she spends time with the chicks but it's limited and almost always observed. I tried a drop of human baby vitamins non iron and also some egg and it seemed to help. I'm waiting for her appetite to kick in.

 

[Mommysongbird]

We had a runt too and we did pretty much the same things as you and now she/he has caught up with the rest of the brood and takes up for him/herself all the time. (S)he still isn't as feathered as much as the others, but looks really good and doesn't take anything lying down.

 

[dweej]

I agree with the other posters! We have a BR pullet who was a tiny little thing, but she has turned out to be quite curious and energetic. And now at 5 weeks, I can barely tell which one she is

 

[gfcm]

I'm glad to hear that the runts turn out okay. I too, have two Wyandottes like this with one smaller than the other. They both eat, drink, and poo okay.

I give them extra attention too. Especially, the little one.

I have noticed that while she gets knocked aside when they eat, she has learned to just run under the taller ones' legs and jump right in the middle of the food!

Maybe it makes them survivors?! I like to think so!

 

[cuntryuppiechick]

She was too weak and went last night. I'm happy I did rescue her even if she only made it a few days. She had the absolute best little personality.

 

[gfcm]

Awww! I'm sorry for your loss!