2 week old partialy bald chick

[TadsMinion]

Hi, I'm new to the whole chicken thing and one of my 2 week old cochins is, well, very bald in patches. I can see new feathers forming in some of the spots but some places no fuzz and no feathers. The only odd behavior is the chick likes to waddle/crawl to the feeder instead of standing up occasionally. Is this just some normal yet weird feather delay, mites, a vitamin issue or gender/breed issue? Will it get enough feathers? The other chicks are having no issues and I don't know if they are preening ,scratching more that usual or if I am just noticing due to worries of parasites.
Thanks

 

[Criticalicious]

Sounds like normal ugly-teen stage. Some babies grow feathers slower than others. I have 6 BCM babies around 6 weeks old. Five are fully feathered and one looks like a pin cushion.

 

[TadsMinion]

Oh that is good to know, I was scared they had mites or something.

Here he/she is. My husband says it's because it is a cockerel. Poor wee thing looks so shabby compared to the others.

 

[Criticalicious]

If it's eating and drinking and running around normally with the others, probably normal. And yes, probably a cockerel! I would monitor to be sure the crop is full at bedtime or throughout the day, that the others aren't bullying him away from food and water.

 

[debid]

Looking at the picture, I believe that one has frizzled feathers. I'm just hoping it isn't frazzled. Two copies of the frizzle gene results in brittle feathers rather than just a frizzled look.

 

[TadsMinion]

Looking at the picture, I believe that one has frizzled feathers. I'm just hoping it isn't frazzled. Two copies of the frizzle gene results in brittle feathers rather than just a frizzled look.

Thanks for all the replies. I am wondering now too if he is a frazzle. I am finding broken bits of wee black curly feathers in the brooder. I have not observed any feather pulling or pecking from the others, not to say it isn't happening. Baldy (his name so far) seems to be a favorite for the littlest silkies to snuggle next to at night, I guess his lack of plumage makes him more like a chick heater?
I will try to get pics later of the feather strands, Baldy and his clutch mate. I was really just wanting normal feathered, non bantam cochin pullets.

 

[TadsMinion]

So, anyone have an idea when he will get feathered enough to go out? Here is an updated pic of Baldy, he/she is about 3 1/2 weeks now.

Here is one of his hatch mate "Disco", for comparison .

 

[Stacyoung13]

Definitely looks like a cockerel. Not sure about the feathering. He is handsome though...They say bald is beautiful Good luck

 

[Stacyoung13]

Unless you have weather below 50, he should be fine to go outside. Just make sure he’s not being picked on.

 

[TadsMinion]

We tend to have cooler weather, fog and wind. The temps are approximately 63F (17 C) to 45 F (7C) on average. We are subject to coastal conditions which means the hotter inland, the foggier , cooler it is here in summer.
He gets along well with the chooks still in the brooder.