Query about one of my chicks

[jenene283]

I have 3 baby chicks that are 4 weeks old. I have been handrearing them for 2 weeks. Two of them are growing well and I have taken them out of their brooder and are in a small cage. But the 3rd little one is a bit of a concern. He is only half the size of the others and doesnt have much of an appetite. Has anyone had this problem before and what do you think might be the cause?

[elijahfan]

he might be a runt, i would say just keep feeding him as normal and kep and eye on him

i haven bred birds so i dont fully know

[Bea]

My Snickers had a slow start. Are you weighing them daily? As long as he keeps putting on weight he'll probably be ok, some babies are just a bit slower - and its quite often the youngest. :)

[Solace.]

My babies are 5 weeks old now, but when I got them at 3 weeks, Theo was very small, compared to the other two, now Theo is BIGGER then the other two and the other two are pretty small - I assume as they eat more and more they'll grow a bit bigger just like Theo did.

Are you offering them veggies, fruit, seed at all? I started my 3 on veggies when they were 4 weeks old, and they don't exactly like them, but they don't really have a choice since they really need it, they need the vitamins and all that other stuff.

How many times a day are you hand feeding them? you're making sure (just gonna ask) their crops are full enough.. I'm sure you are but just thought I'd ask..

I just looked it up and got some of these that could cause it (doesn't mean it is): Infection, malnutrition, inadequate food intake, chick too cold, chick too hot, congenital abnormality, incubation problem, parasites.

http://www.msstate.edu/dept/poultry/growchix.htm

Have a look at that site, it's got all sorts of things about 'growing chicks' and info, make sure they're kept warm enough and have some seed and water in the cage at all times. Someone else will probably be able to help you out more, but hope that helps a bit. :)

[jenene283]

Thanks so much everyone you have been very helpful. I am going to continue to feed him and give him all the right nutrition.They are fed about 3-4 times a day till their crops are full. I mix a teaspoon of pureed apple in with their handrearing mix. He is in the brooder so is nice and warm. I never realised there were "runts" in birds. I've seen them with dogs etc but never birds! I havent given up on him yet. :D

[allen]

i had the same problem with squirt he was eating verry little then one day he just started to grow he is 2 days younger then miracle but you can really see the size difference
pic 1 is squirt taken last week pic 2 is miracle taken last week
they were like 5 weeks old

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb207/birdcrazzy/mytailisgrowing.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb207/birdcrazzy/Picture059-1.jpg

[sweetrsue]

Your little guy being last hatched is a week behind the first. If you want to see what a difference a week makes check out my post under Cockatiel pictures. "Todays' Baby Update" It shows two clutches. One is a week behind the others. The first one in the second clutch hatched 1 day after the last one in the first clutch. I would have to wonder if your small guy is warm enough to digest food properly. A heating pad on low with a towel over it under thier cage would probably help the little guy.

[jenene283]

Sadly my little guy didnt make it through the night. He totally lost his appetite yesterday. He has been in his brooder at all times so he was nice and warm. Poor little thing RIP

[allen]

i am so sorry i feel for your loss

[sweetrsue]

I'm sorry to hear that. Sometimes they just fail to thrive.

[Solace.]

Sorry for the loss! :(

You did everything you could, rip little one.