Should this chick be culled?

[jawilson]

Well, she is an adorable little girl who is very active and seems like she has the will to live! She was looking up at me last night and was trying to jump to me, but hardly got off the ground. I am getting attached to the poor little one. That being said, now that they're 1.5 weeks old the difference in their size is very big. The others are growing new feathers, but she is definitely behind. I see her trying to eat and drink normally, gave her yogurt last night, but I am not convinced she's eating. Also, since this picture was posted her beak has gotten much worse and there's not much overlap at all. It's only been 2 days! I want her to make it, but with a human baby due this winter and 6 other hens to take care of, I am not sure we can give her all the attention she would need.

 

[JakeBremer]

My chick with the overlap is feathering slower, but she is the most active. Give her a chance to live. If she ends up dieng, Then it was nature's way of letting her be put in rest. Just let her live.

 

[Panth]

In my own experience, getting past the first 3 weeks was the hardest and Spaz was really behind his age group in growth also. Once he hit about week 5, he really picked up on eating on his own and has been steadily putting on weight since. I do have to give him a bath once a week since he is molting into his adult feathers and can't clean the feather shafts off his wings on his own.

He also is easily the friendliest chick I own because I handle him all the time. He loves to sit on laps and will follow anyone around until he can fly to their shoulder or sit on their head.

 

[Panth]

Just for laughs...here is Spaz right after a bath today in his "I'm The Ugliest Chick Ever" pose:


And earlier today, enjoying the sunshine:

 

[dretd]

We have 3 EE chicks that are about 2 weeks old now. They all seem to be happy and healthy, but we've noticed that one has a crooked lower jaw that won't line up with her upper jaw. I guess this is a skull deformity and I don't have high hopes for this chick, but as long as she's still eating and hopping around I'm unsure if she's in any danger.
She does eat, but she's growing more slowly than the other two.

What a little cutie.

My advice is that if you were a breeder or in for commercial production I would cull and not think twice.

Since it looks like these are going to be pets with benefits (eggs, hopefully), keep her around as your special friend. She may need a little extra tending, but she should do fine with an attentive loving owner, such as yourself.