Thistle the runt

[Lor]

I've been reading everything I can here on runt/FTT.
I have a wyandotte chick half the size of the other 2 and less feathering. (Daughter named her Thistle due to all the fuzzy wuzzies that stick out every where.)
This is day 2 of giving her some nutri-drench and this morning I gave all the chicks some scrambled egg.
I'm not really sure how much of the nutri-drench to drop on her beak nor how often.

She is active, eating and drinking and her poop is just like all the other chicks'. (took awhile to catch her pooping so I know whose poop I was looking at)

I'm not sure if this is helpful to know or could be a symptom of something, so thought I would add my observation just in case. Didn't see anything about it in other posts.
She is really active. Almost hyperactive compared to the others. She doesn't settle down for long.
She spends more time at the feeder than the others. She is there very often. Yesterday I bought a small bag of a different brand of chick starter and mixed it with the original feed because it looks like she does quite a bit of picking through.

I got the wyandottes on March 4. All were the same size. Few day old chicks.

 

[Lor]

In the first pic you can see the three wyandottes in a row between 2 buff orpingtons.

 

[Lor]

Fuzzies hard to see

 

[rosemarythyme]

Since you mentioned she is drinking on her own, I'd just add the Nutri-Drench to the water and let her get it that way. Won't hurt the others to be drinking it. Dilution instructions should be on the bottle. I'd offer that for a few days, and if she's still actively eating and drinking on her own, just kinda watch and play it by ear. Hopefully she's just a runt and will start catching up in due time.

 

[Lor]

Since you mentioned she is drinking on her own, I'd just add the Nutri-Drench to the water and let her get it that way. Won't hurt the others to be drinking it. Dilution instructions should be on the bottle. I'd offer that for a few days, and if she's still actively eating and drinking on her own, just kinda watch and play it by ear. Hopefully she's just a runt and will start catching up in due time.

That will certainly be easier. Thank you for responding.
When I purchased a different brand of chick food I noticed how consistent the piece sizes are but many sizes in the original food. I'm thinking she was trying to pick out the smaller bits.

 

[rosemarythyme]

That will certainly be easier. Thank you for responding.
When I purchased a different brand of chick food I noticed how consistent the piece sizes are but many sizes in the original food. I'm thinking she was trying to pick out the smaller bits.

Another thing to try is offering a small amount of wet feed (just crumble + water, to a thick oatmeal-ish consistency), as that takes out the issue of feed size, and seeing if that makes it easier for her to eat. Chicks may or may not pick up on wet feed right off the bat so don't be discouraged if they don't seem to get it at first.

 

[Lor]

Another thing to try is offering a small amount of wet feed (just crumble + water, to a thick oatmeal-ish consistency), as that takes out the issue of feed size, and seeing if that makes it easier for her to eat. Chicks may or may not pick up on wet feed right off the bat so don't be discouraged if they don't seem to get it at first.

I'll try that too. Thank you.
As an aside...
I started a thread on the runt because I have to integrate the chicks in with the older hens. A slight delay or less time outside due to the less feathering. Some days are chillier and windier than others.
I put them in a large pet pen inside the enclosed run from morning to evening (see but no touch method). I have a portion of the pen covered in a clear shower curtain liner to block wind. I want to put them in a pen in other parts of the run (outside but hawk deterrent) so the hens see them everywhere. I don't want her chilled.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I put them in a large pet pen inside the enclosed run from morning to evening (see but no touch method). I have a portion of the pen covered in a clear shower curtain liner to block wind. I want to put them in a pen in other parts of the run (outside but hawk deterrent) so the hens see them everywhere. I don't want her chilled.

So they're 3 1/2 weeks or so? Any way to provide heat outside if she should need it?

Something as simple as a cardboard box on its side (weigh it in place with rocks or bricks), and maybe with an old towel inside, can also serve as a huddle area if heat can't be provided but you're concerned she's having a harder time staying warm.

 

[Lor]

So they're 3 1/2 weeks or so? Any way to provide heat outside if she should need it?

Something as simple as a cardboard box on its side (weigh it in place with rocks or bricks), and maybe with an old towel inside, can also serve as a huddle area if heat can't be provided but you're concerned she's having a harder time staying warm.

If I go by them being a day or two old when I brought them home, today would be 4 weeks old. There are 3 chicks who are a week older.
I bring them outside in a pet carrier and leave it in there for them to go inside it if they wish. I could cover it with a towel to cover those side air holes.
Truthfully, I may have worried for nothing. She seems to be doing well out there with the others. I plan to cover a portion of the other pen with a clear shower curtain liner because it seems to work well. They can see out, I can see in and the sun can still warm them.
Good news is we should be having some good temps for the rest of the week. Thankfully.

I'm not sure how long I will keep them "together but separate" before letting them out with the older hens. A year? 2? LOL...

 

[Lor]

Another thing to try is offering a small amount of wet feed (just crumble + water, to a thick oatmeal-ish consistency), as that takes out the issue of feed size, and seeing if that makes it easier for her to eat. Chicks may or may not pick up on wet feed right off the bat so don't be discouraged if they don't seem to get it at first.

They all ate the wet feed. Once one chick has something they all want it. Thanks for that advice.