Chick growing feathers at much slower rate

[Blue_Myst]

I'll still be hoping, then! Though every day it seems more and more likely he's a rooster. Hopefully he'll be the exception.

Thanks for the replies! Guess I can only hold out that he'll either be a hen, or a very
nice roo

 

[gritsar]

Here, take a look at this:

According to UC Davis Veterinary Care Program.
2. Physical Characteristics (4-6 weeks of age)
a. Comb – The cockerels comb is medium size and pinkish, the pullets is small and yellowish.
b. Legs – The cockerel’s legs are sturdy and long, the pullets are finer and shorter.
c. Tail – The cockerel’s tail is stumpy and curved, the pullets is longer and straight.
d. Back – The cockerel has a thin line of stub feathers down the center of his back, the pullet has more advanced feathering along the center of her back.
e. Side of neck, flank and crop – The feathering in the cockerel in these areas is poorly advanced, the pullets feathering in these areas is well advanced.
f. Wing bows – In the cockerel the wing bows are bare, in pullets the wing bows are covered with small feathers.

It's what I used to pick out my baby roos.

 

[debilorrah]

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How is it I have been here for this long and I just learned this! COOL! I had no idea!

 

[Robin'sBrood]

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That is good to know!

 

[Blue_Myst]

Thanks for the tip, gritsar! I'll be sure to use them when he/she reaches that age.

 

[cmom]

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Can you post some pics?

 

[nursesusanb]

old thread but anyone want to comment? i have 2 of my 8 chicks who are quite gangly with poor feathering.....hoping they aren't roosters.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Fast feathering is a genetic trait in some breeds/ families of chickens, and not others. In some breeding lines, males feather out slower than females, BUT only if they are bred to show that trait. Otherwise, it's random. You just have to wait and see what your chicks plan to do. Mary

 

[Tooours]

I have a 4 week old wyondotte that still looks like its a week old compared to all my other wyondottes, I've been wondering why as well.

 

[nursesusanb]

They are all buff orpingtons hatched out at the same time, but two are gangly and featherless compared to the rest who have pretty little wings and tail feathers.