Sebright.....really small or failure to thrive?

[JAD102501]

We purchased these chicks from the bantam bin on 03/11. I know sebrights are small but how small is too small? He eats, drinks and

scratches. He dont really run with

the bigger ones cause they knock him over but he watches. I have some poultry cell water in there, just to try and help him. Could he really just be this small or should I prepare to see a decline...based on opinions and experiences of course.

 

[Debbie292d]

We raise Silkies, a smaller breed than most, and what I know of Sebrights, they are smaller than mine. You only have one of them with bantams that will be around twice its size as an adult.

As a smaller chick, it'll learn to run fast to get out of the way, but as it grows into an adult, it's possible it'll get picked on.

Is there any chance you can go back and get a couple more of those, or the smallest bantam, even if a few silkies, just so it's got a few buddies closer in size to grow up with and hang out with?

Here's some information about the breed.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-breed-focus-sebright.1016745/

 

[JAD102501]

We raise Silkies, a smaller breed than most, and what I know of Sebrights, they are smaller than mine. You only have one of them with bantams that will be around twice its size as an adult.

As a smaller chick, it'll learn to run fast to get out of the way, but as it grows into an adult, it's possible it'll get picked on.

Is there any chance you can go back and get a couple more of those, or the smallest bantam, even if a few silkies, just so it's got a few buddies closer in size to grow up with and hang out with?

Here's some information about the breed.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-breed-focus-sebright.1016745/

I did consider getting more but the store is out and shipping is not feasible at the moment. Going to watch him and keep a look out for friends.

 

[Debbie292d]

I did consider getting more but the store is out and shipping is not feasible at the moment. Going to watch him and keep a look out for friends.

Maybe could you see if they'll put you on a call list so you're notified as soon as they get more in? If they'll do that, ask if they'd hold a couple of Sebrights for you. Of course, you'd have to promise to pick them up the same day. I've done that with a feed mill before.

Facebook poultry groups for your area might be a place to check for some.

 

[BDutch]

Maybe could you see if they'll put you on a call list so you're notified as soon as they get more in? If they'll do that, ask if they'd hold a couple of Sebrights for you. Of course, you'd have to promise to pick them up the same day. I've done that with a feed mill before.

Facebook poultry groups for your area might be a place to check for some.

I wonder if adding more is a good idea, unless they can grow into older chicks in a seperated coop/run. I seems to me that integrating small Sebright chicks is harder than integrating larger bantams.

If you do have the possibility to separate, and use the method ‘see don’t touch’ it is better to add a few small bantams for a more harmonious flock.

 

[Debbie292d]

I wonder if adding more is a good idea, unless they can grow into older chicks in a seperated coop/run. I seems to me that integrating small Sebright chicks is harder than integrating larger bantams.

If you do have the possibility to separate, and use the method ‘see don’t touch’ it is better to add a few small bantams for a more harmonious flock.

They only have one vs all those others that are and will be twice its size. At least with a few of them, they can be their own little flock, sort of like how silkies with RIR's do...they keep to their own clan.

 

[BDutch]

They only have one vs all those others that are and will be twice its size. At least with a few of them, they can be their own little flock, sort of like how silkies with RIR's do...they keep to their own clan.

Yes you are right, just tried to mention, integration might be difficult in a standard (small) setup with no possibilities to divide. Adding an extra coop should be part of the plan if there is not very much space.

 

[JedJackson]

Make sure it is getting enough to eat. I would give it some meal worms or boiled egg yolks to see if that helps. It is probably failure to thrive because the chick is much smaller than the others, even accounting for differences in breed size. That doesn't mean it can't recover, though.

 

[BDutch]

I didn’t get the message something was wrong. Just that the chick is much smaller.

My experience is that a poor chick, that cant eat enough, starts to peep a lot. That would be the time to take it inside (at least at night to get out of the cold) and feed it separately.

Good and fresh chick feed should be okay. Wet chick feed is easier to digest. Be careful not to give too much mealworms or eggs to keep the feed balanced.