1 week old chick losing feathers

[Clmcr05]

I have a baby Rhode Island Red chicken, from tractor supply. She's one of 4 chicks we bought, and she's starting to lose feathers around her vent. Seems to be preening / scratching that area, though I can't see any redness or injury. I'm concerned. She's eating, drinking and pooping, and doesn't seem lethargic. Any advice is appreciated!

 

[Debbie292d]

They look just days old. The only thing I've ever noticed with bald butts is it was usually from me cleaning up a really bad pasty butt. Had that one had pasty butt and maybe the chicks picked it off?

Otherwise, they would be way too young to be going through their juvenile molt.

If you can, take about 15 minutes and just watch them to see if you can catch one of them picking at butts.

If this was an older chicken, we'd suggest checking for mites, but chicks inside don't usually get mites.

 

[Clmcr05]

Thank you! This chick is the very first one to get true tail feathers, and I'm wondering if there's a possibility that the new feathers are just irritating her backside? She hasn't had pasty butt, we've been watching them pretty closely.