Why is she so small?

[RookieChickyMom]

Hello, I have 3 baby chicks that I got at Wagon Train feed store in OC. They are doing well but one of my little girls is just not growing! She's been on the same diet and has been provided with the same care as my other two and seems generally healthy but I don't really have much experience with chickens. I do have to clear her of pasty butt every couple days too. So i got the brownish ("Ameraucana") and black (silver laced Wyandotte) together they hatched Aug 1 and I got a buff orpington that was hatched Aug 8. My Ameraucana has been making great progress, but the Wyandotte seems the same size as the chick that is one week younger. Her Feathering is consistent with her age but I was wondering if there were any special vitamins I can give her to make her stronger or grow any better? The store said she is not a bantam and gave me the option to switch her out for a different chick? Will this one have issues when she's older if I keep her? Also she & my Ameraucana are very close, will there be a problem if I separate them?

There's big sis keeping an eye out
Suggestions?

 

[Ridgerunner]

I'd swap out but I don't do special needs chickens. Some people do. With the pasty butt and her lack of growth something is just not right. It is possible she can live, maybe thrive, and even be productive. But I would not take that chance.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Some do just grow slower. Wyandotte tend to take longer in my experience.

It's really hard to guess if she will have issues later on. I don't see any deformity.

She IS tiny. If you swap her out there shouldn't be issues since they are very young still.

 

[RookieChickyMom]

she does not look deformed and she is generally healthy, she fights with her sisters over trees and they run around just fine, but I am concerned because of her size. I think her just being small want to make her special needs as the other chickens will all be larger, I will have five with her included. I really would like to keep her because I became attached, but I also would like the best home for her and I don't know that I would be able to provide special care

 

[Holliberri]

I had a chick last summer, who was so much smaller than the other seven. Everything seemed fine but he grew so slowly. By New Years, he was my largest cockerel. Just throwing it out there.

 

[RookieChickyMom]

I had a chick last summer, who was so much smaller than the other seven. Everything seemed fine but he grew so slowly. By New Years, he was my largest cockerel. Just throwing it out there.

Yes yes! Thank you! I was hoping to hear more promising stories, but I'm also keeping an open mind because I NEED to do what's best for HER. I fear that she may need medications later or that she will get picked on by larger flock mates? Again, special care would be very difficult for me. Anyone else? Please share if u have a similar story and the outcome? Thanks to everyone who's responded and those who will!!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Yes yes! Thank you! I was hoping to hear more promising stories, but I'm also keeping an open mind because I NEED to do what's best for HER. I fear that she may need medications later or that she will get picked on by larger flock mates? Again, special care would be very difficult for me. Anyone else? Please share if u have a similar story and the outcome? Thanks to everyone who's responded and those who will!!

You may be surprised at just how well she does.

My mixed flock has everything from bantams to Brahmas.
I keep a cochin coop with big 9# hens and tiny hens they all get along great. My other flock has small 3# hens in with 7-11 pounders. Those smaller birds tend to be great at holding their own.

I found wyandottes to be one of the more assertive breeds. I wouldn't get to worried just yet.