What to do with a runt?

[possumhunter]

Soooo....I had disastrous hatch last Friday....and this little guy was the last one to hatch on Saturday night. He/She was very wobbly for the first few days. It had the umbilical cord still attached as of 2 days ago. It seems to be doing a little better now- not falling over or getting stuck on its back. But it is still so tiny compared to the rest of the birds. Its little toes are so small. It's wings look very small and under-developed compared to the others.

Does this little one have a chance at a normal life?

 

[alabamachick]

If he's eating, drinking, and pooing normally, I dont see a need to "do" anything. If he starts having some issue is when I would venture down he Culling road.

I'd let him go a few days, you never know, he might be just fine!

 

[gritsar]

I took my runt aside once a day, twice if I had the time, and gave her a one on one feeding. Being half blind she took longer to eat than the others and they simply pushed her out of the way. By giving her those one on one feedings, she was able to get her fill, with no one rushing her.
I also made sure she got a helping of chopped hard boiled egg at least a few times a week.
She's now a hen and does fine as part of my free range flock. Still smaller, but just as healthy.
Good luck!

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Oh my goodness, so very adorable

Does it have problems besides size? Might not thrive - just cause, but I would enjoy the itty bitty while it was here - as long as there are no other problems. Last year my duck (call) hatched a very tiny duckling, all the others grew but tiny did not. Eventually she passed (3 weeks) but we enjoyed her spirit while she was here. Even her mom seemed to look out extra for the little one.

Sorry for your bad hatch

 

[possumhunter]

Quote:
Oh thank you so much...I'm still so bummed out about how terrible it turned out. It was my third time hatching and I've never had such a bad time incubating before.


It seems to be eating/drinking okay. It is in with 4 other babies - 2 others which have issues as well (see the other thread about chick with leg problem ). So at least it isn't getting trampled or run over by anyone else.

I'm going to give it some time. I was just looking for some encouragement that it could still have a shot at a normal life. I am going to try giving it some one-on-one feeding time. I think that could help.

Thanks!

 

[4-H chicken mom]

If it has the will to live, I think it will be just fine, especially with the extra love you are providing it. They can be tougher than we think.

 

[19Dawn76]

I think it depends on how much time you spend with her. I've always had a soft spot for runts and end up nursing them. I had a duck once with a crooked upper bill and he needed alot of time to eat and if he ate with the other ducks they would eat all the food so he had to be fed seperate.

good Luck!

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

S/he looks just fine to me. She is so cute!!! I'd say she's a keeper for sure!