4 weeks old silkie turning bald?

[hanselong]

Just wondering if I should be concerned about my silkie turning bald...

She's (finally) starting to feather out on the tips of her wings.

However, she's losing fuzz around her butt and under her wings so that her black skin is exposed; I think this started a couple of weeks ago.

Thank you very much in advance for your advice/thoughts/responses!

Age: Around 4 weeks
Food: Starter feed sprinkled with grit.
Environment: 70-75-ish degrees Fahrenheit (red 100W bulb) 2'x2'x2' brooder, pine shavings, with two other chicks of the same age (Easter Egger and Dorking).

I started adding a few drops of Apple Cider Vinegar to their water about a week ago.

Generally, I:
1. Remove shavings from their waterer twice a day.
2. Refill their feeder once a day.
3. Scour the breeder once a day to remove their droppings.
4. Completely replace the shavings once a week.
5. Pick them up, talk to them, and check their butts once a day.

 

[Kiwibird]

Losing fuzz on the butt suggests she may be dragging herself rather than walking at times - is this possible? Most of my chickens show a bit of skin just under the wings - the area comparable to an armpit.

No lice or mites present?

 

[hanselong]

As far as I can tell, no lice or mites.

She sits/roosts/sleeps on the shavings, but otherwise I don't think she drags her butt around.

It's more like the fuzz just kind of flakes off.

Also the area under her wings seems to become more bare over time.

 

[Kiwibird]

I can't think of another reason for this, as your management looks fine.

Do these chicks get any playtime on the grass? Mine always have by this age, and I'm sure they find extra nutrients in the various things they nibble in the great outdoors. Not recommended at this age if you have a high incidence of coccidiosis on your land, but otherwise it might help.

Does anyone else have any thoughts?

 

[hanselong]

Thank you very much, Kiwibird, for your continued responses!

Today I finally took all three chicks to the flower garden outside for a bit (the chicks were enclosed to keep out drafts).

For now, I'm just not gonna' worry about my Silkie too much since she still seems healthy and active (plus the absence of anyone raising concerns).

Thank you very much again, Kiwibird!