what does this mean? any idea on sex?

[sunket77]

Several weeks ago a friend of mine gave me some chicks. I was expecting them to be the same size or close to the same size as mine because I knew they were close in age. But when she brought them to me I found out all she had been feeding them was hen scratch. They were tiny and akward looking. They had and still have a mix of feathers and chick fuzz and could barley walk around, there feet seemed small for their size. I have had them a few weeks and they are growing (on chick starter) but still seem small and their breast bones seem to be sticking out when I pick them up I can feel it. Although they are much better than the shape I got them in I just don't know if they are ever going to grow. They still have chick feathers on their head where as I have chicks that are much younger that already have their feathers. I am wondering if they are maybe a bantam cross??? I know they are at least 8 or 9 weeks old. I will post pics as soon as I can.

 

[CarriBrown]

They may be in that awkward stage. But post pics so we can really take a look. Poor little things, only eating scratch.

 

[karen71]

Maybe they are malnourished - I'm not sure chicks can digest scratch unless they have access to grit

I would get some chick started and vitamins in them and hopefully they will catch up
good thing you took them she does not appear to be well informed about raising chicks

post pixs soon and good luck

 

[sunket77]

this one was brought in later so it is bigger b/c it foraged outside, she had a bum leg since they pulled her out of the dogs mouth but she is doing much better

these are the others I just put them in with the rest of the flock they are getting picked on a bit but nothing serious yet

 

[annek]

Poor little things, I hope she doesn't get anymore. I would definately go with extra vitamins, put some extra vitamins in the water. I would give them extra protein also. Have you given them any boiled eggs yet? Hopefully they will be able to recover from having no nutrition for the first few weeks of their little life. They are so lucky that you took them. They look so small for that age. Mine are the same age and they look a lot larger. It is amazing they even lived.

 

[Mahonri]

No doubt they were malnourished.

Glad you are there to step in and take care of them.

 

[sunket77]

I haven't tried boiled eggs yet, thanks. I will try anything to get them to grow!

 

[walkswithdog]

Now that they're being taken care of they should balance out over a few months. If you can afford game starter it's a fast way to put on weight and feather - that's why the people raising meat birds use it.

Otherwise vitamins and eggs also work, yogurt helps. Meal worms make happy chicks.

 

[sunket77]

any idea on sex? I am concerned the one at the top (Oreo) may be a roo but because of the odd feathers I am not sure. I haven't seen any roo-like behavior from them. Oreo's tail is kind of long but "she" hold's it strait out and the combs are a bit odd and no sign of wattles yet, very little if any.

 

[Fruit Juice]

They all look like girls, but then again, they're malnourished, so...
Heck, my 4 week old has more feathers than that!