3-4 week old chick has feathers that look like this

[Snjmiller1]

Any idea why they look like this at such a young age? Very wiry. She is an Easter egger (or so I’ve been told). First time chick mama lol

 

[artbykarenehaley]

Any idea why they look like this at such a young age? Very wiry. She is an Easter egger (or so I’ve been told). First time chick mama lol

Looks like they are growing out but are still encased in the fingernail like sheath. Are you sure she's that many weeks old? She looks more like a few days old.

 

[MysteryChicken]

That is odd. I'm thinking it's possibly a symptom of a Immune System Disorder, or possibly something else, but not entirely sure.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I'm also thinking possible severe inbreeding could be a culprit.

 

[MysteryChicken]

@Wyorp Rock, what's your thoughts on this chick's odd feather growth?

 

[artbykarenehaley]

Is this chick, by chance, the last on the pecking order? Do you think she's getting as much feed as the others? How much protein is in their diet?

 

[Snjmiller1]

Looks like they are growing out but are still encased in the fingernail like sheath. Are you sure she's that many weeks old? She looks more like a few days old.

She may only be ab 1-2 weeks

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Any idea why they look like this at such a young age? Very wiry. She is an Easter egger (or so I’ve been told). First time chick mama lol

Is she the only one like that? What do you feed?

Looks like the keratin sheath is still partially on the feathers, but they are developing a bit odd. I don't know what would cause that - could be genetic or she's not absorbing nutrients like she should. Could be it corrects itself during juvenile molt too.

I would watch to see that she's eating/drinking well. It won't hurt to give her a direct dose of poultry vitamins like Poultry Cell, once a week. At that age, 2-3 drops should be sufficient.