Small 5 week old Welsummer

[TeresaInTexas]

I am brand new to raising chickens. I have 8 chicks, 4 Olive Eggers, 3 Welsummers and one Speckled Maran. One of my Welsummers is very small compared to the other chicks. They will be 5 weeks tomorrow but one of my Welsummers looks like she is 3 weeks. I’ve named her Emma. She is eating, and pooping fine. She doesn’t drink as much water as I would like. Should I be concerned?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

There is such a thing as "failure to thrive," where some chicks simply don't do as well as they should. There usually isn't too much you can do about it. Sometimes a little extra care will help (chick saver vitamins, medicated feed).

Having said that, may I presume you got these at a feed store, most notably something like Tractor Supply? Feed stores are notorious for mixing up their chick bins. It is quite possible this little one is simply a bantam and will, and should, always be smaller.

Is it feathering normally? Then I really suspect bantam. Bantams are available in almost all breeds. So, you may have something other than a Welsummer, or it could be a bantam Welsummer.

My thoughts.
LofMc

 

[TeresaInTexas]

There is such a thing as "failure to thrive," where some chicks simply don't do as well as they should. There usually isn't too much you can do about it. Sometimes a little extra care will help (chick saver vitamins, medicated feed).

Having said that, may I presume you got these at a feed store, most notably something like Tractor Supply? Feed stores are notorious for mixing up their chick bins. It is quite possible this little one is simply a bantam and will, and should, always be smaller.

Is it feathering normally? Then I really suspect bantam. Bantams are available in almost all breeds. So, you may have something other than a Welsummer, or it could be a bantam Welsummer.

My thoughts.
LofMc

Thank you so much for your reply. I ordered my chicks from a well known hatchery and did not purchase from TSC. I don’t believe Emma is a bantam because her coloring and markings are the same as the other two Welsummers. She is feathering but she is just small.

 

[TeresaInTexas]

Thank you so much for your reply. I ordered my chicks from a well known hatchery and did not purchase from TSC. I don’t believe Emma is a bantam because her coloring and markings are the same as the other two Welsummers. She is feathering but she is just small.

After I re-read your post I may have to re-think my response. I didn’t realize there was such a thing as bantam welsummer. I guess only time will tell. Again, thank you!

 

[Poodlemum]

There’s soooooo many chipmunk coloured breeds, it might be a mixup from the hatchery? We’re dealing with a Welsummer issue right now (first ended up a roo, next might be Speckled Sussex) and the eye line supposedly goes down. Don’t know how reliable that is though!

As far as failure to thrive, we also got a lavender Orpington that is super tiny compared to his hatchmates. Was supposed to be a pullet too It has always been very lively, eats, drinks, and poops fine, just feathered in slowly too. It’s caught up feathering wise, but still bitty with a massive comb and eyes lol