"Runt"??

[TMNfarm]

After having so much success with our first batch of 12 meatys, we went and purchased 12 more Cornish X from the same local fleet store. They were about 5 days old when we got them, and all were the same size. 11 of them are growing just like my others did, but 1 of them doesn't seem to be growing at all... He barely has little feathers at his wing tips, and they are 3 weeks old now. Should I be worried about this little guy?? Will he eventually catch up with the rest?? (BTW, I call all of my meaty's "he's" until I can tell what they are...) I have been watching closely, and he is getting his share of feed. He gets stepped on and bumped around a bit, but he can slip in between them and eat, and there is enough room at the feeder for everyone.

I'm trying to post a couple of pics, but my internet is being stupid, so I may not get it accomplished... We're even wondering if he might be a totally different breed!!

 

[TMNfarm]

It finally worked!!! He's the one at the end of the feeder... Striking difference in size!! What do you think??

 

[TMNfarm]

Another view...

 

[Sundown_Farmer]

Recently I had several like this. All had heart issues when I opened them up. Birds with heart problems taste weird so we keep them for ourselves and soak them in brine.

I don't believe their heart condition was due to my skill as a farmer, they were just born defective. Just like the birds that die within the first 3 days, it's out of my control.

 

[Oregon Blues]

That one is a different breed.

 

[TMNfarm]

Pretty sure you nailed it with the heart problem. When I came home tonight, he was having a hard time breathing, so the kids and I decided it was time to end his suffering... We put him down and the kids buried him at the edge of the woods.... Why is it so much harder to have them die at this young of age?? We had no problem butchering the grown birds...