I have two barred Rock chicks and 7 mixed bantams that I bought a week ago that are housed together in the brooder. They are about a week and a half old. I did a search, and the only threads that I found were about cornish x's, which the general consensus for the cornish is that they have bare breasts, b/c they lay on their bellies a lot and they grow so fast. Is this normal for a barred rock? Is it an indicator of disease or a problem? They aren't lethargic, are usually up and around when I check on them, but I have noticed that sometimes they sleep sprawled out over their waterer! I fish them out and set them somewhere else when I see that, because I know chicks aren't supposed to get wet. Could this be what is causing the naked bellies?
Bald bellies on Barred Rock Chicks...Why??
- Thread starter okiemommy
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Well, it isnt normal for BRs to have bare bellies. What's causing it, I have no idea. First thing you think of when feathers are missing that shouldn't be is pests, like lice or mites OR molting.
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- #4
My barred rocks lay on their bellies as well and eventually they grew feathers where they needed them after awhile. But they were bald too and I had no problems with mites or anything like that. I would check to see if they are being caused any harm with this. Other than that I would just wait and they will grow feathers there when it is time for them to get em.
It may be nothing at all, just fuzz falling out faster than feathers growing in. I've just never seen that in my BRs.
I am sorry speckled hen. I wasn't trying to contradict. I was only stating what mine did and then there would be more views of different accounts is all. My girls are quite healthy and this happened to them so I wanted that to be known as well. Sorry if you thought I was being difficult, I was only trying to give the best answer I could from my own accounts.
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- #8
I checked all of them very thoroughly and I found a bantam with thinning "down?" <---not sure it that's what it's called or not...on it's belly. In addition, I found a little tiny spot of bald on one of the barred rocks wings. Does this mean they have mites or lice?!?
What do I do? I have four other chickens 6-7 week olds that are perfectly fine.
What kind of brooder are they in and what kind of bedding are they on? Heavy breeds have different requirements than bantams and tend to get bald bellies if the bedding is not consistently clean/dry. Raising them on wire can cause these issues as well and leg problems.
As someone said, it could be nothing and just them taking their time to grow in their plumage, but I would keep an eye on brooder conditions to make sure this is not causing the baldness.
Jody
As someone said, it could be nothing and just them taking their time to grow in their plumage, but I would keep an eye on brooder conditions to make sure this is not causing the baldness.
Jody
Now it sounds like mites of something like that. Are they picking each other?could happen is there isn't enough room in the brooder.
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