Half-size grower

[chickenfan]

I have a brood of 3 black marans 9-10 weeks old. One is now half the size of the others. He/she had a phase of c 3 weeks of being quite vocal, cheeping all day, but always had a full crop at night and was bright so I didn't worry too much. He/she still looks well, but is only half the size of the others and is bottom of the pecking order. I'm wondering whether this is OK and why this one is growing more slowly? Should I perhaps worm them?

 

[foxy]

Sometimes you get these small growers..they seem to grow at the same pace initially, then appear to stop growing. There is usually a genetic reason for this "stunting" and not a lot you can do, as long as the little chappie appears well, feeding, drinking then best leave be. I don't think worming will do very much, if you want worm them wait a few weeks yet. In the meantime add ACV to their water.

 

[chickenfan]

Thankyou Foxy. I'll try the ACV. He used to cheep all day long so perhaps had growing pains of some sort. Looked like a cockerel initially, now more like a hen.

 

[chickenfan]

Just to let you know this bird (marans) is normal size now. I'm sure she was born a cockerel and went through a sex change

 

[chrismahon]

We had a tiny Leghorn Bantam. Half the size of his brother for months, but now slightly bigger and a better looking and natured bird.

 

[foxy]

That's good news chickenfan, it's nice to hear how things turned out for this little err...chappie/chappette.