3 week old chick not feathering??

[preciouschick]

so "Doppy" is 3 weeks now. She seemed to have more fluff at birth. She actually seems to be losing fluff. I see no bugs or any irritants. She covered her left under wing with poop today. Found a spot to roll in i guess.I had to wash n blow dry her.(plain water rinse)
No fluff under her wings either.
She is smaller and slow growing. She should have a lot more by now. My birds are all unvaccinated. No medical feed. Should I give them medical feed? She is the only one like this. She is normal in every other aspect. What can I do for her? She did have a rough hatch. Didn't think she would make it.

 

[3KillerBs]

There is a slow-feathering gene in some breeds.

I don't know what specific breeds (and I don't know if all birds in those breeds carry it), but my Black Langshan boys had it and looked quite naked for weeks:

Check out this post from when they were 3 weeks old: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/introducing-the-ideal-dozen.1469451/post-24566481

P.S. If I understand this correctly, if it's the slow-feathering gene it's most likely male -- but I have to admit that I find this version of sex-linking more confusing than the others.

 

[preciouschick]

There is a slow-feathering gene in some breeds.

I don't know what specific breeds (and I don't know if all birds in those breeds carry it), but my Black Langshan boys had it and looked quite naked for weeks:

Check out this post from when they were 3 weeks old: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/introducing-the-ideal-dozen.1469451/post-24566481

P.S. If I understand this correctly, if it's the slow-feathering gene it's most likely male -- but I have to admit that I find this version of sex-linking more confusing than the others.

The posture kinda tells me male but we shall see. I will look at your post

 

[preciouschick]

There is a slow-feathering gene in some breeds.

I don't know what specific breeds (and I don't know if all birds in those breeds carry it), but my Black Langshan boys had it and looked quite naked for weeks:

Check out this post from when they were 3 weeks old: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/introducing-the-ideal-dozen.1469451/post-24566481

P.S. If I understand this correctly, if it's the slow-feathering gene it's most likely male -- but I have to admit that I find this version of sex-linking more confusing than the others.

I see the lack of feathering. Your birds are really pretty.

 

[3KillerBs]

P.S. It only *looks* like they lose down -- because they're outgrowing their down before their feathers come in.

 

[3KillerBs]

I see the lack of feathering. Your birds are really pretty.

Thank you. This is the one that had the green band now:

 

[preciouschick]

P.S. It only *looks* like they lose down -- because they're outgrowing their down before their feathers come in.

feathering is slow going. he is loosing the down and getting in "feathers". he looks so pitiful. But my husband loves him. He is also still really small. I will continue updates. He is 4 weeks now.

 

[preciouschick]

so "Doppy" is 3 weeks now. She seemed to have more fluff at birth. She actually seems to be losing fluff. I see no bugs or any irritants. She covered her left under wing with poop today. Found a spot to roll in i guess.I had to wash n blow dry her.(plain water rinse)
No fluff under her wings either.
She is smaller and slow growing. She should have a lot more by now. My birds are all unvaccinated. No medical feed. Should I give them medical feed? She is the only one like this. She is normal in every other aspect. What can I do for her? She did have a rough hatch. Didn't think she would make it.

updated photos of doppys feather growth. he is now 4 weeks old.

 

[3KillerBs]

updated photos of doppys feather growth. he is now 4 weeks old.

He's adorable.

 

[Lizzy733]

At 4 weeks, sounds like he's doing fine if you've noticed no other issues. Since he had a rough hatch, you may notice it in the initial feather quality, but some breeds can stay bald for ages. The 8 wk slw I brought home was so naked, I thought he must have been 'weeks' younger than I was told, but looks like it really was just super slow feathering. His back and under the wings was still mostly bald and pinning at the time. That was back in early December and he's only just now starting to get to his adult feathering.