Buff Brahma 12.5 weeks old - Roo?

[Basia St Clair]

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Pullet!

 

[Lemon-Drop]

A cockerel at this age would have a MUCH redder comb, plus you would likely be able to see saddles/pointed hackles

 

[Basia St Clair]

A cockerel at this age would have a MUCH redder comb, plus you would likely be able to see saddles/pointed hackles

Thanks. I had suspicions because the comb of this Brahma is a little "wider" then the comb of the other 2 who are clearly pullets.

 

[Sc_chickengirl]

Thanks. I had suspicions because the comb of this Brahma is a little "wider" then the comb of the other 2 who are clearly pullets.

She is beautiful!

 

[Silkie Princess]

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Pullet

 

[EggSighted4Life]

The design markings on the hackle feathers can make them LOOK pointy, but I agree with the other assessments..

NOTING feather condition indicates mites or lice.. see the second photo the feather closest to the black on the tail how all the barbs are missing and it's down to practically just the shaft. Anywhere you zoom in and focus you can really see what I'm talking about.

The other possibilities that contribute to poor feather quality are poor nutrition with feathers being made from 90% protein and it's amino acids or over crowding/mating. But otherwise there is no reason for such young feathers to be that condition.. for discussion and assessment purposes, no judgement or finger pointing.

 

[Basia St Clair]

The design markings on the hackle feathers can make them LOOK pointy, but I agree with the other assessments..

NOTING feather condition indicates mites or lice.. see the second photo the feather closest to the black on the tail how all the barbs are missing and it's down to practically just the shaft. Anywhere you zoom in and focus you can really see what I'm talking about.

The other possibilities that contribute to poor feather quality are poor nutrition with feathers being made from 90% protein and it's amino acids or over crowding/mating. But otherwise there is no reason for such young feathers to be that condition.. for discussion and assessment purposes, no judgement or finger pointing.

Thank you so much. I am going to take a very close look at her. Dont believe it could be overcrowding, as my coop is 8x12 for 14 chickens and the run is about 40x40. No rooster for mating. I feed them scratch and peck grower feed. So must be lice or mice - DANG! I am still rather new at this. I am in the humid south, so need to double triple check.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I am in the humid south, so need to double triple check.

I could be mistaken and on high alert also being in humid conditions.

Checking after dark with a flashlight gives the best picture in my experience.

I had forgotten flock antics even without over crowding can also be a contributing factor.

 

[Basia St Clair]

Thank you so much. I am going to take a very close look at her. Dont believe it could be overcrowding, as my coop is 8x12 for 14 chickens and the run is about 40x40. No rooster for mating. I feed them scratch and peck grower feed. So must be lice or mice - DANG! I am still rather new at this. I am in the humid south, so need to double triple check.

I could be mistaken and on high alert also being in humid conditions.

Checking after dark with a flashlight gives the best picture in my experience.

I had forgotten flock antics even without over crowding can also be a contributing factor.

Hey @EggSighted4Life - FYI - I, for the life of me, could not tell if the babies had lice or mites. I looked at vents, under wings, neck, back and really could not be certain. I looked at night, looked during the day, took a flashlight, etc. There was a small amount of "dandruff" - that looked more like "dander". I think I would have to see a bird with lice or mites in person to have been 100% certain. Any way, treated with Elector PSP both birds and coop. This morning the babies do seem noticeably happier. My imagination? I am going to check feather again in about a week. If the "dander" stuff is gone then I will know it was lice. Thanks again!!!

I could be mistaken and on high alert also being in humid conditions.

Checking after dark with a flashlight gives the best picture in my experience.

I had forgotten flock antics even without over crowding can also be a contributing factor.