Growth Slowdown in 8-Week-Old Chicks Normal or a Concern?

[RoosterRambler]

Hey everyone,
My chicks just turned 8 weeks old, and theyve been growing really well so far. However, when I weighed them today, their growth seems to have slowed down quite a bit compared to previous weeks.

Theyre still on their chick feed, eating and acting normal, and they havent gone without food or anything. Is this kind of slowdown expected at this age, or should I be concerned?

Thanks for any advice!

[FowlAfficionado]

Try fermenting their feed! Some people notice better weight gain and overall health when switching to fermented feed.

[CompostChampion]

Could temperature changes be affecting them? Cold weather can slow growth since they use more energy to stay warm.

[BantamBoss]

What breed are they? Some grow faster than others, and certain dual-purpose or heavier breeds may hit a plateau before another growth spurt.

[Eggspeditionist]

Have you checked for external parasites like mites or lice? Sometimes those can slow growth by draining their energy.

[CluckinAround]

Watch their behavior,if they're still energetic and curious, they're likely fine. Lethargy, fluffed-up feathers, or reduced appetite would be more concerning.

[GreenThumbed]

Are they getting enough protein? Chick feed should still be at least 18-20% protein at this age to support steady growth.

[Eggnigma]

Have you noticed any signs of coccidiosis or worms? A drop in growth could indicate an underlying issue, especially if their droppings look off.

[HenriettaHatch]

Are they getting plenty of access to food throughout the day? If they're in a mixed-age flock, sometimes older birds outcompete younger ones.

[FreeRangeDreamer]

If they're acting normal, they may just be putting energy into bone development rather than weight gain. Some birds fill out later!