3 Week old Black Sexlinks have feather loss and scaly skin

[PrimroseMom1]

I just got 2 3 week old Black Sexlinks from a feed store. The whole bunch had feathers missing and scaly skin. The bunch were together and sort of freaked out. At home I noticed one pecked the other frequently. Two days later she doesn't seem to be pecking the other as before. Will their feathers get okay? What should I do? I am brand new at this.

 

[WallTenters]

Posting photos would help. Chicks at that age may just be molting/between feathers, and so would be missing feathers and have itchy, dry skin, so don't get too worried about it. As long as no one has a lot of broken feathers or bloody skin spots (both signs of bad feather picking) you should be okay.

 

[PrimroseMom1]

Thanks for your reply. It really helped me calm down about this. I am new, but gaining experience daily. I went to the feed store yesterday and got some poultry powder to dust them, just in case it was mites, and this morning, before I dusted them, I noticed that their feathers are now coming in very nicely. When I got them a week ago at 3 weeks old, maybe a bit more, they were in a cage at the feed store with about 20 others and very freaked out. When I got them home, one of them pecked on the other and screamed if I came by the cage. Now, just a week later, they are not pecking each other and stay calm even when I change their food or water. I LOVE BYC.