why are they so much smaller and not feathering out

[jlehr25]

ok so all my quail except for these 2 are all pretty large and at the 2 week mark. these 2 are quite a bit smaller and they all hatched at the same time. what could cause this? is it a genetic issue? can anyone give me any answeres? they are all suppose to be jumbos

 

[dc3085]

Runts. It happens. They should catch up by week 4-5. Sometimes they do stay small though.

I don't let them breed in my flock to avoid them potentially passing on whatever trait may have caused them to be runted (environmental factors such as egg handling and incubation issues can cause this type of thing too, you just can't be sure)

 

[jlehr25]

They were the last 3 to hatch I don't know if that would affect anything

 

[Sill]

I cull the runts. I don't want them passing any genes to future generations.

 

[drumstick diva]

could the eggs mistakenly included a smaller variety?

 

[jlehr25]

they were all suppose to be of the jumbo variety