why do some chicks stay small

[chickmeme]

I have 6 chicks 3 Ameraucanas, 2 Australorps, and one Cochin. I got them at less than a week old. one of my Astralorps is very much a runt by size. she seems to be eating like the others and doesn't appear to be picked on, just small. all those birds are now about 20 days old. the Ameraucanas are the biggest by twice. will the littlest one catch up or should I pull her from the group and keep her separate.

 

[Pork Pie]

Whilst she is holding her own in the flock i would advise leaving her as she obviously is managing herself in terms of pecking order. Napoleon was a small chap, but he seemed to manage!!

 

[shortgrass]

There will always be runts... Could just be from a smaller egg, or chicken... Could be less vigor from hatch, but they catch up as long as everybody's eating and nobody is getting picked on.

One thing to keep in mind, if you want to breed... Don't keep a runt as a breeder; they might be runts from poor genetics, so runts make poor quality breeders. As far as laying, it probably won't make a difference, she'll grow up just like the rest

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don’t know where you got the chicks or how sure you are of their ancestry. It’s always possible you have a bantam and everything is perfectly normal. As long as it is holding its own in the flock I’d certainly leave it alone.

I agree, some are just runts. There may be something different genetically or they may have something wrong physically where they just don’t grow like the others. I don’t know what your goals are but I don’t allow them to breed just in case it is genetic. I’ve butchered runt cockerels from hatchery stock before, I mean really smaller than its siblings. Some of the internal organs were smaller than they should have been. The reproductive organs were extremely underdeveloped. I’m not going to say that’s the case with all runts but it was with mine.

If the chick hatched from a tiny pullet egg and has been noticeably smaller since hatch, it’s possible it is just small to start with and might catch up. There is a difference in size at hatch from smaller eggs and it lasts a while. From the age and size difference you mentioned I’m not sure this is the case but it is possible.

 

[kristofandmama]

My Speckled Hen Chickadee was definitely a late bloomer - she was way behind the other girls and I wasn't sure she would ever feather in properly. She caught up - is now big and very handsome and also top bird of the flock! Give her some time - if she eating and active she's probably fine.