Chick feathering in REALLY weird...

[19hhbelgian]

Here is my chick. He is out of a lavender ameraucana and I'm pretty sure Daddy is a serama. He is the same age as my cochin cross, but take a look at the difference in their feathering! They both hatched on the same day, only a couple hours apart. Anybody have a clue as to what is going on??

Black ameraucana x (EE) chick:

Here they are together (cochin is frizzled obviously, but his feathers are way different - even if they were smooth - than my little black guys feathers):

Cochin by himself:

 

[clkingtx]

I am not sure what you are talking about. All I see(I think) is the wing feathers still in their feather sheaths.
I have a few chicks whose feathering looks similar, so can you be more specific on what is weird about it?
I am brand new at raising chicks, so I don't know a whole lot about it.

Sorry I'm not more help

Carrie

 

[BoiseBubba]

looks normal to me

 

[mikki717]

It looks normal, it just has not preened its own feathers to pull off the sheath. You can use your fingernails to work them off bit by bit. I have a conure, and she yells at me if I get too exhuberant if removing "pokeys" You don't want to pull it off, (you could pull out her feathers), but using your nails like a "beak" rub your fingernails gently over the sheath in areas to break it down. It will be flakey. If after a few days, or if it is too thick, you can use a little water to moisten them. When they dry, they will be easier to preen.

I am new to chickens, but that is what the vet told me for my bird. Appaprently it is uncomfortable to have them sheathed.

 

[19hhbelgian]

Ahh... Yep. See this is my first chick ever

I feel dumb... Didn't even think of the sheath... I pull them off my big birds when they molt, so yeah, I'm a goof.

 

[onthespot]

hey, this place is a never ending source of people that "got your back" for ya. Isn't it the best?

 

[newchickmom09]

Quote:

I would have asked the same thing if that were my chick.

You can always depend on BYC'ers

 

[clkingtx]

Yeah, don't worry about it. When I noticed it on my chicks, I first thought something was weird, till I remembered our cockatiel would have single feather sheaths like that.
It is really a strange sight to see so many like that at once.

Carrie