what do you feed a runt chick to put weight on?

[TGRREZ]

I bought 3 gold sex link/gold comet/ gold star..people use so many different names. anyway I bout 3 at the same time when they were 3 days old. they are now 7 weeks. they are eating 20% chick starter. 2/3 are growing fine. the other is significantly smaller, like almost 1/2 size. I have no idea what going on with her. all are pullet chicks. the runt looks healthy, she runs and flies and jumps fine. she eats and drinks good. she isn't denied food by the other chicks she just isn't growing or is growing significantly slower than the other 2. any recommendation what to feed her so she can catch up?

 

[newchickenmommy]

Not sure there is anything you can do to make her grow. Maybe she is just growing slower. I have an Austrolorp that is about 2 weeks old, and her sister is twice her size. She is eating and drinking fine, but the poor little thing is so small. I too hope she grows pretty soon or the others will trample her. Just make sure she is eating and drinking and keep an eye on her.

Wish I could say more to help.

Sally

 

[3riverschick]

Go to Tractor Supply and get a bottle of either Poultry Nutri-Drench or Goat Nutri-Drench. Use the usage and dosage instructions for the poultry product, regardless of which you buy. Put it in the water at a rate of 2ml per gallon of water. I put it in my chick's water till it looks like very weak tea. Just a tint to the water. Or you can get a syringe at Tractor Supply and use that to measure it. Just take the needle off the 3ml. syringe and safely dispose of it and you are good to go. I always raise my chicks on this. It is full of many good things the chicks need. Doesn't need to be digested. Mainlines directly to the bloodstream. Good if this little chick has any problem with absorbing nutrients from the feed it is given. You can read all about it here. http://www.nutridrench.com/
Great stuff! I use it for the 1st month of life or any time the birds are stressed or need an extra boost.
Best Regards,
Karen in western PA, USA

 

[collingwood]

In her food and water put brewers yeast and also if you want you can give her fish meal and anything that has a boost in protein!

 

[azygous]

I've had luck with crumbled tofu liberally sprinkled with Poultry Nutri-drench. A runt not interested in regular chick feed will eat this and begin gaining strength and growing.

 

[gjensen]

Diet only allows them to reach their genetic potential, but not to exceed it. You may get faster growth by manipulating the diet, but the final size of the bird will depend on genetics.