Advice needed for 2 chick issues

[LynnCircleFarm]

Hi all, I have 3 peachicks all about 6 weeks old.

One is big and healthy and perfect. The other two are both lively and appear healthy, but one has lost a ton of its wing feathers (see photo). I have never seen any of the chicks get after each other so I don't think they're being pulled out by the others, they just seem to be falling out. Do chicks this young molt? And if they do, why would only one be molting? If not, what could be the cause?

The other is my little special needs chick who was an assisted hatch and had both splay leg and curled feet but I was able to fix that (all but one toe that STILL curls to one side) and even thought it's still about half the size of the others it really does seem healthy otherwise. It was hopping around funny the last day or two and I thought it was just stepping on its own feet and tripping itself like my baby geese do, but today it's clearly not wanting to put any weight on one leg. The leg is not hanging or limp and doesn't appear to be broken. Should I just keep an eye on it? (Black shoulder chick on right in photo)

 

[Waterfaery]

They molt a few times as they grow and change into their adult plumage and they go through phases of looking a bit scraggy but I'm not sure about losing what seem to be new feathers like that.

I'm not sure about the leg and it wouldn't be easy to tell much from your photos. I'm not an expert but I would examine the leg by feeling along the bones and joints. Check if you can move and bend the leg and see how the chick reacts. Check the good leg as well for comparison. Also look for any swelling or change in colour. Can you post a video of the chick trying to walk?

Is the chick gaining weight? I know some chicks can be smaller, especially if they have had hatching issues, but it should be gaining some weight every day so I would start tracking that.

Between the potential damaged feathers and leg injury, I'm wondering if there are any hazards in with them. Is there anything they could be getting trapped in?

 

[llcardinale]

Hi all, I have 3 peachicks all about 6 weeks old.

One is big and healthy and perfect. The other two are both lively and appear healthy, but one has lost a ton of its wing feathers (see photo). I have never seen any of the chicks get after each other so I don't think they're being pulled out by the others, they just seem to be falling out. Do chicks this young molt? And if they do, why would only one be molting? If not, what could be the cause?

View attachment 4219208

The other is my little special needs chick who was an assisted hatch and had both splay leg and curled feet but I was able to fix that (all but one toe that STILL curls to one side) and even thought it's still about half the size of the others it really does seem healthy otherwise. It was hopping around funny the last day or two and I thought it was just stepping on its own feet and tripping itself like my baby geese do, but today it's clearly not wanting to put any weight on one leg. The leg is not hanging or limp and doesn't appear to be broken. Should I just keep an eye on it? (Black shoulder chick on right in photo)

View attachment 4219206

If you have the good fortune to have a vet who works with chickens, I would definitely take her in for an appointment, unless you are extremely confident in manipulating your chicken's joints. I don't have your expertise, so I would worry about causing further trauma. Good luck.

 

[LynnCircleFarm]

They molt a few times as they grow and change into their adult plumage and they go through phases of looking a bit scraggy but I'm not sure about losing what seem to be new feathers like that.

I'm not sure about the leg and it wouldn't be easy to tell much from your photos. I'm not an expert but I would examine the leg by feeling along the bones and joints. Check if you can move and bend the leg and see how the chick reacts. Check the good leg as well for comparison. Also look for any swelling or change in colour. Can you post a video of the chick trying to walk?

Is the chick gaining weight? I know some chicks can be smaller, especially if they have had hatching issues, but it should be gaining some weight every day so I would start tracking that.

Between the potential damaged feathers and leg injury, I'm wondering if there are any hazards in with them. Is there anything they could be getting trapped in?

No real hazard in the enclosure. There were some little wire platforms with ramps to help them get to perches but I’ve taken those out.

The little one with the leg issue (Peanut) is definitely gaining, I’ve been monitoring weight on a postage scale for the last several weeks and I’m happy with the progress. I’ll add

https://imgur.com/a/tln6qCt

a video from this morning and pic of the enclosure and will see if there’s a vet around here that I can go to as well.

 

[KsKingBee]

Chicks are in a continuous state of molt their first year but that would be where the feathers fall out and are replaced one by one. The wing feathers on your chick look to be damaged from getting caught up into something and are broken. Closer inspection of the feather shafts and the skin may reveal more.

Assisted hatch chicks use a lot of energy trying to get out of the shell plus the trama of being bound, pain, and not wanting to eat all contribute to slow growth.

We also note that even though we 'fix' toes and legs those toes and legs are still prone to revert back to having problems with reinjury.

I would let nature take its natural course.