White leghorns

[Hholt]

I have 12 baby white leghorns. Most are growing at a similar rate. Two have stayed about the same size as when I brought them home. The two small ones seem to get pasty butt daily. Any suggestions on how to help them catch up? Or is this pretty typical?

 

[sylviethecochin]

That's not normal.
Can you post pictures of their poop?
Do they act lethargic, are their feathers puffed, messy or ruffled, and do they have healthy appetites? Any other symptoms you can think of?

Are they warm enough? Do they act happier when cuddled? Might want to up the heat for those two.
Do you own chick vitamins and/or probiotics? Both would be great. If not, you should get them from your local farm store, or from Amazon.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

That's not normal.
Can you post pictures of their poop?
Do they act lethargic, are their feathers puffed, messy or ruffled, and do they have healthy appetites? Any other symptoms you can think of?

Are they warm enough? Do they act happier when cuddled? Might want to up the heat for those two.
Do you own chick vitamins and/or probiotics? Both would be great. If not, you should get them from your local farm store, or from Amazon.

X2!

 

[Hholt]

We’ve put a probiotic in their water recently. They seem active, or as active as the others. I’ve seen them both eat plenty. One I’ve seen drink water a bunch. The other one will drink water, but only if she doesn’t see me paying attention. She doesn’t like being taken out to get cleaned off. I’ve tried retraining her with drinking water and I think it freaks her out a bit. I’ve done a lot of research on their poop. I even found an excellent site with pictures. So far all of the poop I’ve seen looks normal.
As far as temp goes, we’ve been regulating it as much as possible based on how they are acting for the most part it seems to be fine.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

Maybe they are just roosters, or a different breed? I had one BR pullet that grew WAY slower than the others.. but she was fine!

 

[Hholt]

Do roosters typically grow slower?

 

[sylviethecochin]

We’ve put a probiotic in their water recently. They seem active, or as active as the others. I’ve seen them both eat plenty. One I’ve seen drink water a bunch. The other one will drink water, but only if she doesn’t see me paying attention. She doesn’t like being taken out to get cleaned off. I’ve tried retraining her with drinking water and I think it freaks her out a bit. I’ve done a lot of research on their poop. I even found an excellent site with pictures. So far all of the poop I’ve seen looks normal.
As far as temp goes, we’ve been regulating it as much as possible based on how they are acting for the most part it seems to be fine.

Sometimes, chickens have a genetic inability to produce/properly use nutrients. So I'd add vitamins and see if that gives them the boost they need.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Do roosters typically grow slower?

No. In some breeds they feather more slowly than the pullets, but if anything, cockerels generally grow faster.

 

[Hholt]

Do you suggest separating them for a couple of feedings? I do worry that since they are smaller they aren’t eating enough.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Do you suggest separating them for a couple of feedings? I do worry that since they are smaller they aren’t eating enough.

If they're being free-fed, then separating them to eat more free-feed isn't really going to do anything for them.

@Eggcessive @oldhenlikesdogs or @azygous might have more ideas.