Runt Chick - Questions

[marg_storm]

Hi all! I just got chicks. I originally picked up 7, but one small one didn't thrive and died a few days after coming home. They are about 2-ish weeks old now. The other 6 are doing well, but we have one runt chick. She is Speckled Sussex. She is eating and drinking well, we use chick boost and are giving her some feeding time away from the others so she doesn't get pushed aside. She is active and confident, often chasing some of the other and digging around in the bedding.

Recently, they have taken to not sleeping with the brooder plate, but snuggle together. The room stays around 70-75 degrees. The runt tends to force her way under a few of the bigger ones. I have tried to encourage them closer to the plate, but they seem satisfied in their pile.

Has this happened to anyone else? Should I do something different or just let them be?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Let them find their comfort zone. At that temperature, they really don't need the plate, especially with cuddling together.
I think that runts show up in all species. Birds maybe not as much as mammals but I've had them.