6.5 week old chick still not feathering out

[vboyarski]

We have a 6.5 week old buff orpington that still won't feather out. This picture isn't great but it somewhat shows how it is completely featherless along it's back. It also doesn't seem to have much for wing feathers. I suspect it is the 'weakest' in our flock of 62 chicks. All the other chicks are 6.5 weeks old and essentially feathered out. It is obvious that this one doesn't get at the food often enough, but we also have never observed the other chickens pecking this one (like pecking out the back feathers). Is this just the result of malnutrition from not getting enough food or is there actually a disease that prevents a chicken from feathering? No signs of respiratory illness or coccidiosis. The chick appears to be growing and we observe it eating occasionally and drinking. Thank you.

 

[silkiechicken]

Some birds are just slow starters or have failure to thrive. If the rest of your flock is healthy, I'd not worry about it. Just a slow poke.