Size difference outside v inside chicks

[Elliebeans]

These two chicks are from some pekin bantam eggs I set under my broody silkie. They are both turning 4 weeks old on Sunday. The bigger one I took once hatched and have been raising with some siblings inside. The other one has been outside with some siblings as well (also same size). The outside one has been kept in a secure pen and they are both fed the same chick starter. The inside ones are not only bigger but are more developed than the outside ones (feathering, tail etc). Is this normal or is something wrong.

I've got the little one inside tonight because it is having some trouble standing. I don't think the leg is broken. It has been standing on it but sometimes drops and splays the leg backward. Was also breathing heavily when I first brought it in but seems happier now it's inside under heat.

 

[Ridgerunner]

There can be a lot of difference in how fast chicks grow even if they have the same father and mother. I don't know if those do or not. Cockerels tend to grow faster than pullets. I cannot tell sex from that photo. You said only have two chicks, which is not enough to draw general conclusions from. There could be a lot of variables other than inside or outside that can influence how fast they grow.

One chick is not well. The way it is hunched over it looks like it does not feel well. You mentioned some medical problems. To me that is probably the biggest difference. One is healthy and growing well. The other is struggling to stay alive, yet alone thrive. Often that is due to a birth defect, not something you did wrong. You may need to take special care of that chick to keep it going. And some still are not meant to make it.

How wet has it been where you are? If it has been pretty wet and a chick has that posture I'd consider treating it for Coccidiosis. Due to the life cycle of the bug that causes Cocci that's always a risk when a chick is exposed to wet conditions. That has nothing to do with a splayed leg so that is probably not it but I'll mention it.

 

[chickens really]

Getting too cold stunts the growth of Chicks..

 

[Elliebeans]

There can be a lot of difference in how fast chicks grow even if they have the same father and mother. I don't know if those do or not. Cockerels tend to grow faster than pullets. I cannot tell sex from that photo. You said only have two chicks, which is not enough to draw general conclusions from. There could be a lot of variables other than inside or outside that can influence how fast they grow.

One chick is not well. The way it is hunched over it looks like it does not feel well. You mentioned some medical problems. To me that is probably the biggest difference. One is healthy and growing well. The other is struggling to stay alive, yet alone thrive. Often that is due to a birth defect, not something you did wrong. You may need to take special care of that chick to keep it going. And some still are not meant to make it.

How wet has it been where you are? If it has been pretty wet and a chick has that posture I'd consider treating it for Coccidiosis. Due to the life cycle of the bug that causes Cocci that's always a risk when a chick is exposed to wet conditions. That has nothing to do with a splayed leg so that is probably not it but I'll mention it.

Thank you. It has been a bit wet here. I have some medication for cocciodiosis so I'll treat it. Have decided to bring all the outside chicks in to raise myself now.