Failure to Thrive
Why is my baby bird so small?
DISCLAMIER: Im not an expert. This is based on my own experience and research.
You just got some baby chicks, ducklings, or goslings and notice that one of them is much smaller than the others, leaving you wondering what's wrong.
Even if you do everything right, sometimes a baby bird simply does not thrive. This is known as "failure to thrive."
Failure to thrive is most easily recognized when you have birds of the same breed and age. A tiny bird will stand out in the group. These birds may also have different feathering and may not feather out as fully as their siblings.
Helping a baby bird thrive again can be challenging. Most cases of failure to thrive do not survive, but if you can identify the underlying cause and provide the right treatment, the prognosis can be good.
Causes
Bullied?
Observe your baby flock. Is the runt being bullied at the food or water? If so, separate your little runt—but do not isolate it! Baby birds need socialization.
Even if your little runt is not being bullied, it may still have a timid personality that makes it less aggressive when competing for food. One solution is to provide two feeding and water stations so that all birds have access.Parasites
Coccidiosis is a common ailment among baby chickens. This parasite not only steals nutrients from your baby bird but can also damage the intestinal tract, which may lead to permanent malnutrition.
Keeping a clean brooder is an effective way to help prevent coccidiosis.
Another common threat is intestinal worms, which can cause similar damage by consuming nutrients in the bird's gut. If you suspect worms, a fecal test can help determine the correct deworming treatment.
Mites and lice can also contribute to "failure to thrive" in young birds.
Size Issues
Their body size can cause additional problems. If your little runt is a hen, egg laying can create serious challenges.
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Her body may not be fully adapted to the egg-laying process.
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The egg may not be properly sized for her body.
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The hen could become egg-bound, which can lead to serious health issues.
My chicken mentor, who has a failure-to-thrive case, reports that her little runt sneezes frequently. Apparently, this is due to underdeveloped nostrils.
Treatment
Even if you cannot determine the reason for your baby bird's "failure to thrive," it is important to have a treatment plan.
Nutritious food will be the most crucial part. Eggs and egg yolks are always excellent foods for baby birds—or adult birds—because they contain a high concentration of nutrients.
Give your little runt extra multivitamins to help boost growth. It's often best to administer them like a medication, directly into the beak—but make sure you know the proper technique!
Supplementing with probiotics is also a good part of a treatment plan, since failure to thrive most often stems from gut issues.
These treatments are in addition to a normal diet, not a replacement for it.