Speckled Sussex Not Growing as Fast...... New Momma Very Worried :/

[sarverbd]

Hi all! This is my first post in BYC as I am a new mommy to 3 four week old "cross your fingers" hens. One is an australorp, one a barred rock and finally a speckled sussex. As far as I can tell the SS is eating and drinking and loves treats. She's also very eager when you put your hand into the brooder to hop up and hang out. What concerns me is she is smaller than the other two by at least half their size.... her tail feathers are no where near the others but her breast feathers and everything else is coming in fine. I read somewhere that smaller tail feathers mean its a cockeral but she acts so much like a hen it makes me question that, especially since her whole body is smaller than the other two. I have some pictures of the 3 of them together and also each of them separately. Any input would be great as to why she is smaller and opinions on whether the 3 are hens or not.... i'm still veryyy new at this and I want all my babies to be happy and healthy. Thanks so much!




This is snickers our SS.... notice her small tail.



all 3 of them together enjoying a treat snickers is on the right.



stinker, our barred rock



nugget, our australorp (she WAS the smallest, hence her name...)

 

[Gofygure]

Welcome!

It's not uncommon for different breeds to grow at different rates. If she is eating, drinking, and active I would not be overly concerned. My Sussex spent a long time in that 'awkward' phase. I remember thinking they were the ugliest little birds I've ever raised. Right now I have Cochins in the brooder and they are developing MUCH faster. I was sort of taken aback by the sudden explosion of adult feathers compared to the weeks it took for the Sussex. In all likelihood she will catch up, given time.

It sounds like you're doing just fine, and it's great that you're here asking for help! Good luck with them!

 

[flappinhappy]

I agree with Gofygure...in a dozen of mixed birds some grew slower than others but after a bit they caught up...as long as they are eating and drinking and wasting properly then not to stress

 

[sarverbd]

Thank you so much! She is still smaller but we will just wait and see and keep a good eye on her. Any thoughts on to whether they are hens or not??

 

[Gofygure]

It's hard to tell from those pictures and because they are so young. The top-down image makes it look like Nugget has a fairly developed comb, which might suggest she's a he. If her comb isn't as big as it looks there, however, there's nothing screaming cockerel right now. Were they sexed or straight run?