Yes, pecking order is a thing

 
Yes, pecking order is a real thing. We discovered from the start that Britters is the runt chick. She seems to always be one step behind the others in development.

Around 3 weeks, we noticed she isn't thriving like the others. Maybe she's not getting enough resources because she is the runt? The others push her out of the way. She was unsteady and wobbly on her feet almost like she was having balance issues.

The Arizona Backyard Chicken Facebook page is an amazing resource. I reached out and got advice on how to help Britters. 

The advice:
  • Up the protein to the whole flock. Scrambled eggs, cat food are good sources of easy to digest protein. Note - Chicks can't eat meal worms until they are old enough to eat grit. 
  • Start Poly Vi Sol (without iron) by Enfamil. One tiny drop per day in her beak. (she hates this and let’s be honest, it smells vile)
  • Try to help her have a chance to get resources. Duplicate the water and spread the food out.
  • We noticed that as the runt, she is very fearful and panicky. The others pick on her. When we give her medicine, it amps her anxiety and makes her feel picked on. We try to minimize her anxiety by leaving her alone as much as we can.



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