baby chick pecking at her legs

[boisseau95]

We have a baby chick that is a Black Copper Moran and Barred Rock mix. The Black Copper Morans (BCMs for short) have feathers on their legs. This baby was born with them, too. Lately she has been pecking at these leg feathers but I am not sure if she pecking them off or if more are coming in and are bothering her. How can we tell if she has a leg disease or problem? Please help! Thanks!

 

[Wishing4Wings]

How old is your chick? When the pinfeathers start to come in, the feathers are covered by a waxy sheath the the birds nibble at to free the feathers. So if she is gentling nibbling and not pecking, it's probably just normal preening.

 

[boisseau95]

She is about 3 weeks old. Perhaps they are pinfeathers. The feathers on her feet look like the new feathers on her body, which are probably pin feathers. Her legs aren't bleeding or anything. I hope that's it! Thanks!