3 weeker with what looks like plucked butt feathers?

[Berritt]

I got my first 4 chicks today, and the buff orpington has scraggly tail feathers and no feathers around her vent. It does look like there was once feathers there... there are a few little feather remnants, I suppose. I don't see any bugs on her or anything.... she eats, drinks and seems happy and healthy. But I am a noobie, so what do I know? None of the other chicks are rocking the featherless butt look. I brought them home today from a farm that was incredibly clean and all the 3 week old chicks looked really good and were all pretty active.

Do you think this chick was picked on? Can they pull out their own rear feathers? Is this common? i googled and couldn't find any diseases except pests that might cause this to happen. And I don't see parasites. Her skin is a healthy pink color and not red or inflamed. No scabs, or scratches. Just a bald little butt...

Thanks for any help. I need to quit googling "chick butts" because some not so chickeny images come up.

 

[Shannon33]

I am new too but I have seen a few posts on here where people talk about trimming or plucking the feathers on their butts if they have pasty butt really bad, so maybe she had that and they trimmed her? Not sure but just a thought.

 

[Berritt]

Do feathers grow fast? It looks like she might have some new feather sprouts since I last looked, but I suppose I could be imagining it. I will keep watching them. If they grow back, I guess it must have been someone picking on her at the farm? I guess only time will tell.

Unless anyone can think of anything else it could be....

 

[chookchick]

They molt like three times before they get their adult plumage, so basically they are a feather fest until 4 to 6 months old! If she looks healthy, is on a good starter/grower diet, the others aren't bothering her, I wouldn't worry about it.