So far behind.

[Marc7]

Hello guys/gals I'm new here(besides the pullet/cockrell post). I have 4 orpingtons 2 isabel,1 lavender and 1 chocolate, all born on March 1st. They have all advanced the same except the chocolate. She/he has next to no feathers, some wings and tail is starting but mostly fuZz. Is this normal? Is it a late development thing.or a health issue. You can see what I mean in the pic with the isabel
Thanks.

 

[azygous]

It could be the breed being slow to develop. Or it could be the chick is borderline failure to thrive. The signs of FTT are snuggling close to other chicks for warmth or hogging a spot beneath a heat source. Another sign is poor appetite and lack of energy. And failure to grow.

Chicks double in size each week, so soon a FTT chick will be much smaller than its peers. In another week, if this chick is FTT, it will be quite obvious. You need to feed it high protein foods such as tofu an(no iron) can also help.

 

[Marc7]

It could be the breed being slow to develop. Or it could be the chick is borderline failure to thrive. The signs of FTT are snuggling close to other chicks for warmth or hogging a spot beneath a heat source. Another sign is poor appetite and lack of energy. And failure to grow.

Chicks double in size each week, so soon a FTT chick will be much smaller than its peers. In another week, if this chick is FTT, it will be quite obvious. You need to feed it high protein foods such as tofu an(no iron) can also help.

Hogging a spot I'm not sure but its definitely a snuggler. It also has plenty of energy but the appetite is not like the others except the frenzy for the meal worms. I guess like 50% if that makes sense. I'm more worried about the fact that it's getting close to the time to put these chicks outside. I wouldn't want to keep them all inside because of one. How long can they all stay inside a brooder for? What do you/would you do in a situation like that? Thanks .

 

[azygous]

You'll want to acclimatize the chicks by lowering the ambient temperature over a few days. As you do that, give the chicks a cat bed or a small low-sided box lined with some fuzzy material such as Polartec that reflects their body heat. The chick will snuggle with the others in the box for warmth. Then when you move the chicks outside, move their fuzzy bed with them.

This will make their transition a breeze and the small chick should get the warmth it needs at night. Make it possible for the chicks to use the bed during the day, too, and it should be okay as long as you have moderate temps and not a deep freeze.

 

[Marc7]

You'll want to acclimatize the chicks by lowering the ambient temperature over a few days. As you do that, give the chicks a cat bed or a small low-sided box lined with some fuzzy material such as Polartec that reflects their body heat. The chick will snuggle with the others in the box for warmth. Then when you move the chicks outside, move their fuzzy bed with them.

This will make their transition a breeze and the small chick should get the warmth it needs at night. Make it possible for the chicks to use the bed during the day, too, and it should be okay as long as you have moderate temps and not a deep freeze.

That's a good idea I'm gonna start that today .the temps are above freezing now so I'm ok for that but as far as snow still like 3-4ft left we got a lot this season. So I still got some time.

I wish I found this site earlier theres so much good info here. Great site.