I have raised a couple batches of CornishX so far and I am concerned about maybe some of my meat chickens are sick. They are six weeks old. I have never had an issue with them not feathering out by now. They are on 20% starter/grower crumble. Here are some pictures I took tonight, I just noticed one male was lethargic and his back skin seems to be grayish vs the regular pink flesh tone. I'm worried, PLEASE tell me that I'm over reacting. The rest of them seem to be acting normally.
Sick male ( I am holding his leg so he cant get away, he lays down normally but does walk wobbly)
His comb and face skin look normal, not pale or purple
Here he is standing
The following pictures are of the rest of the flock
This male is also missing feathers in the same pattern
Normally feathered
As you can see, some of the birds are fully feathered and some are missing feathers in the same pattern as the lethargic male.
Please, Somebody, have an answer for me. I feel sick to my stomach.
Sick male ( I am holding his leg so he cant get away, he lays down normally but does walk wobbly)
His comb and face skin look normal, not pale or purple
Here he is standing
The following pictures are of the rest of the flock
This male is also missing feathers in the same pattern
Normally feathered
As you can see, some of the birds are fully feathered and some are missing feathers in the same pattern as the lethargic male.
Please, Somebody, have an answer for me. I feel sick to my stomach.
