Under developed chick

[laurad1987]

Hi
Advice needed.
I have 3 chicks. All hatched a day apart. One is doing great. Feathers coming. Big and strong. The 2nd one is a little bit slower but coming along. But the youngest is still super tiny. Pink with fluff. He stands up straight. Has his eyes open and a full crop, but doesn't seem to be growing much. We're giving the hen plenty of greens. Mineral block. Cuttlefish, water, budgie seed. So I don't know what's wrong with the little guy.

[jujubiiird]

He wont grow at the same rate as the others, because he hatched many days after #1.

I wouldn't compare him to #1 or #2 because they are still older than he is. Remember that they started out little and pink also, and are just now with feathers.

Im no expert, but he will grow I am sure, it might just seem like he isnt because #1+#2 are at a different level of growth and age.

Try not to worry and just be patient and see, unless he looks thin like mum isnt feeding him

[Hezz]

As long as he has a full crop, there really isn't much to be done. Mum is obviously doing the right things, he is not missing out on food so he will either make it or not. Some just don't for whatever reason.

[laurad1987]

Morning hezz /juju, thank you:) this is the little guy. 3 weeks old today. 

[jellybean]

I don't know how they should look at 3 weeks old, but he looks a healthy little guy to me.

[Hezz]

He does seem under-developed for three weeks, but on the other hand, as JB has said, he does seem strong and healthy. Confusing, definitely.

[laurad1987]

Maybe he will just be small. If it's any relevance. The egg he came from was put to the back of the nest box for 4 days. We thought she had discarded it but once she sat on it it hatched. So maybe he's a little behind. He's alert but just super small and no feathers like the others !

[Marianne Marlow]

I hope he survives, he's a precious little fellow. I had a little bird called Monty who was much smaller than everyone else when I took him in. I often wondered if he had to fight for food all his life because he had such an attitude and was the "big bird" of my flock!

[laurad1987]

Thank you I'll keep you updated. He's strong and alert and running around. Just super tiny God bless him!

[jujubiiird]

He is lovely, I hope he starts to grow just like his/hers, brothers/sisters.

[milliej]

Perhaps s/he's just a 'runt'? I sometimes think my male Tyler might have been as he's the tiniest budgie I've ever had but you wouldn't think it by the way he goes on and he definitely thinks he's a tiger cock of the North

[laurad1987]

Hi n thanks for all help everyone
Can I ask any experts. If I can feed the eldest any seed / millet from my hand? He tried to nibble a bit of cress, realised he couldn't bite any off so went and sharpened his beak just to get some! !

[Hezz]

Sprinkle some seed on the floor of the cage and allow the oldest to forage for himself. The father will possibly help out there, teaching it what to do.

[laurad1987]

Hi hezz,
I tried him out on his own today, it's a small indoor aviary split in two with a pair in each , and plenty of room but he ran to the corner and wouldn't move. He's very nervous. But he loves sitting in your hand and getting stroked and fussed. Going to hopefully get him tame.