They are feathered! I’ll check that. Thanks
I forget they’re still chicks, they’re almost as big as my friends full grown girls that have been laying for at least a year.
One pin feather looks like it might have been picked a little but he doesn’t act like it’s sore. He’s very unhappy being in the pen by himself.
Is this pinfeather bloody/broken? Do the pinfeathers reach the ground when he walks? Look closely, if they push back into his toes when he puts his feet to the ground.
It’s just got a little pink spot in the shaft. It’s on the side of his leg but near the foot. I’ve got him buttoned up for the night but I’ll check again in the morning to see if it’s touching the ground or his foot when he stands or walks. If it does do I pull it? And is there anything special I’d need to do to keep it clean?
If this pinfeather proves to be the cause of his problem, you could pull it, but be careful not to cause more damage when doing so. Disinfect prior to pulling and afterwards as well and spray with Blue Kote to conceal the red colour which will otherwise entice pecking.
The new grower is medicated? Is it chick starter with Amprolium? At their age, they likely don't need medicated feed. It won't hurt them, but they should have already built resistance to the Coccidia strain(s) found in their environment by now.
