3 week old chick's feathers sticking out

[lucy12132]

Hello! I have had chickens in the past but this is my first time raising chicks and I'm always worrying if I'm doing it right. I have 2 3.5 week old chicks at the moment that are starting to get cheeky. I'm not too sure how far along they should be with their feathers coming in however one chick's feathers seem to stick out at odd angles compared to her sister. Is this normal?

 

[SmiYa0126]

I've had chicks that had wonky feathering. No worries.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Yours are at what I call the "vulture" stage. One time my wife saw several Black Australorp chicks that age lined up on a perch and said they looked like vultures. Their feathers are coming in uneven and they look really ragged. Some look worse than others. so yes pretty normal. In another week or two they will have completely feathered out and should look sleek.

That one does look extreme, I don't blame you for asking. If it still looks like that in a couple of weeks get back with us and we can discuss it. In the meantime check them for mites or lice. It is highly unlikely mites or lice are present but that's just a standard thing to check with any feather question.

 

[Hip Hillbilly Acres]

Oh my, wonder where Ms. Lucy is with it all now?

 

[lucy12132]

Yours are at what I call the "vulture" stage. One time my wife saw several Black Australorp chicks that age lined up on a perch and said they looked like vultures. Their feathers are coming in uneven and they look really ragged. Some look worse than others. so yes pretty normal. In another week or two they will have completely feathered out and should look sleek.

That one does look extreme, I don't blame you for asking. If it still looks like that in a couple of weeks get back with us and we can discuss it. In the meantime check them for mites or lice. It is highly unlikely mites or lice are present but that's just a standard thing to check with any feather question.

Ok thank you! I'll keep an eye on them

 

[Tretinker]

How is this chick growing, I have two similar that have some weird feather growth and it kind of looks like your little chick.

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

any updated photos?

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

How is this chick growing, I have two similar that have some weird feather growth and it kind of looks like your little chick.

Can you post a pic?

 

[Tretinker]

Can you post a pic?

This is my post. Just adding some more pictures now - https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicks-odd-feathering.1546386/

 

[lucy12132]

any updated photos?

She grew up fine. Still a little ruffled going through the "teenage" phase. She's almost 8 weeks old now.