What's wrong with my chick?

[celticdal]

Hello...We bought 5 chicks and a baby turkey 2 months ago 3 black sex link 2 americaunas and a the baby turkey, all are thriving but one of the Americaunas... he hasn't grown much and the others are big and healthy. He seems able to hold his own but he isn't robust and still has ugly baby feathers where the others are coming into adult plumage. He also looks nothing like the other americauna who could be an ad for the breed. He looks more like a tiny ostrich than a chick : ) I seperated him yesterday and let him go out to the garden to snack but I am worried he may have something that will infect our other babies and our adult chickens and ducks. Any ideas what his problem is or what I should be doing for him?

 

[Gonzo]

Sometimes they just fail to thrive. If it seems healthy in every other aspect, I wouldn't worry, its just slow to grow.

 

[micaheart]

Yeah, if your other chicks are healthy, I wouldn't worry yet. I had one once that was slow to grow, kind of a runt. But it can be worse for them to be isolated as well. THey really need to be with other chicks (unless of course, you really think he is sick). The other chicks will encourage him to eat/drink, etc. But keep an eye on him...Good luck.

 

[rancher hicks]

Even as chicks there is a pecking order and he may not be able to get enough to eat. Take him aside and let him eat til he gets enough and water too. Or put two feeders in the pen so there is lots of "head" room.

 

[celticdal]

Thanks for the replies. I did put him right next to the others in a seperate nursery pen but I wondered if he was better off with the others. I will try 2 feeders and waterers and move him back maybe he is just a late bloomer I sure hope that's it. I am wondering if I should put him back on chick food the others have moved on to regular feed but maybe he can't handle it yet.

 

[MiniBeesKnees]

I have five Old English chicks two months old. Four girls and a boy. Three are medium sized including the little roo who has a big red comb and wattle for such a little guy...and one little hen is huge...twice as big as the last one who is very small. I know for sure they all have the same parents. They all eat and drink the same, and none are picked on. Just three very different sizes and they are only babies.

 

[fastpat]

I have one chick like that, well behind the other 26, but in otherwise good health.

This is him at six and a half weeks. He's about half the size of the other cockerels.

The other PR's look like this.

 

[MotherJean]

You wrote: "I am wondering if I should put him back on chick food the others have moved on to regular feed but maybe he can't handle it yet."

What do you mean by "regular feed?" I was under the impression that it is recommended that egg layers remain on something like Purina Start & Grow until first eggs are laid. Do you feed your birds anything other than chicken feed? Maybe this little guy would benefit from probiotic supplements like yogurt.

 

[celticdal]

Thanks to all the good advice I got my little puny chick is still alive, getting strong and growing. He is still half the size of the others and one ugly little guy but he is thriving. I keep him in a seperate nursery at night right next to the others but let him run around with the others during the day, I also put him back on chick starter and he has started eating alot! He now flies and chases the others he is a joy to have around. THANKS!! for your messages and this site.

 

[beejentl]

Is she eating and drinking normally?