Tiny runt

[spsurfer]

Still alive. Much smaller than the other 2. I am just assuming the small one is the original runt because the larger 2 are the exact same size. I'll take a pic tomorrow.

[debbie276]

Good news, looking forward to the picture

[MiaCarter]

Wow. That's incredible that he got passed up yet again by siblings. I honestly can't say I've ever seen that happen. Usually they either start growing or they pass away.

How old is he now?

I can't wait to see how he looks now!

Is he growing at all?
If you have a small mail scale, I'd weigh him at the same time of day every couple days.

My worry would be if he's still the size of a 2-day old, then that would suggest that he just can't grow - likely due to some sort of malabsorption disorder where he can't absorb certain nutrients or is limited in how much nutrition he can take in. (Though in the latest photo, it looked like he'd made some good progress, at least doubling in size?)

In that case, I'd try a very supplementing with a high quality handfeeding formula before I gave up on him. Sometimes, parents give a bit more seed than they should (seed is bulky and not that rich in nutrients) so the nutrient rich formula can really help.

If he is growing - albeit very slowly - that would have a more favorable prognosis as we can reason that he will get to normal size eventually - just needs a mama/daddy to stick with him or a human to handfeed if the parents give up.

The good thing is he seems to be able to absorb enough nutrients to sustain himself so there's a good chance he could survive long-term - if only he could grow up!

I hope he's made some progress! Clearly a little fighter!
I've had a bunch of little ones like this (eternal babies is how I thought of them) when I was a rehabber. They'd typically get tossed out of a nest and found by a concerned citizen. They were always my favorites. Many died, but some did survive.
In some who died, I'd offer them to the students at Tufts Wildlife Clinic for necropsies and in a large number of cases like this, there was some significant abnormality in the digestive tract (I remember one was missing entire organs; another had a small stomach and about 1/3 of the intestines that he should have had - that sort of thing. In others, it was surmised that their body couldn't derive/convert energy properly from the food - so some sort of genetic anomaly on a more basic level. Lots of potential things that can go wrong! And that doesn't take into consideration infection and disease process....though I don't think an infection is the case here as he seems too stable. To live for so long at the size of a 2-day old - at least 9-10 days - tells me an infection is unlikely )

Not sure how he's looking now, but if the others fledge and he's not fully feathered, you'll want to shine a light on the nest to elevate the temp a degree or two.

Can't wait for pics! I'm dying to see how he's doing!

[spsurfer]

Growing, just slowly.

[debbie276]

Wow, he is well behind the others
Like Mia said I would watch very closely and make sure the parents continue to feed when the others fledge.

best of luck

[MiaCarter]

You can make it, little one!

Wow. Still very small, but definitely making lots of great progress. I was hoping he'd have more body feathers, as those siblings are going to fledge soon and he won't have them for warmth.

Some are just slow. But if he continues to be parented well and fed, then he should be just fine. Every day he survives improves his chances of long term survival. And he's already survived the most fragile stage of life (which he had to live through for 2-3+ times longer than a normal baby!) So definitely a fighter.

Moulting will likely be a stressful time for him, but most time, he'll just be maintaining status quo - which appears to be possible for this guy, whatever his anomaly may be. If he couldn't maintain the status quo, he would have died or failed to grow at all. In short, if they can grow, they can usually maintain their weight as growing requires more energy and calories. But it takes a few months to really know for sure if survival is possible. Sometimes they can't absorb or process certain nutrients which has a cumulative effect over time, ultimately becoming deadly.

Though he may never be quite "right" - likely a bit more fragile and weaker.

You'll just need to keep a close eye on him to ensure he's warm and fed once the siblings fledge. That will be an important time.

Keep us posted!

[Zebrafincher]

Runts can do Ok. My runt, Merl, is about half the size of a normal, healthy star finch. He eats so much every day he looks pregnant! He's been to the vet numerous times, and only supplements and TLC have helped. He's kept away from my other finches (Zebrafinches) as they stress him out. He's getting back his wing feathers and might be able to fly again. Runts are tenacious. If you pick him up, he will bite your finger or hang off the webbing. He's also close to 7 years old.

I never regretted getting him. He was bald and being picked on when I got him. He's grown back the hair, but has never been a really strong bird. He's hung on however! Good luck with your little one! hope he survives!

Kind Regards

Zebrafincher

[spsurfer]

Well He's made it this far! Still really small and doesn't fly up to perch yet but seems healthy enough.