Chick with bald back - is (s)he sick?

[otterbrook]

One of our chicks has a bald spot along the top of her back. The skin looks raw in spots and kind of flaky and dandruff-y. It does look like there are some feathers sprouting so perhaps this is just a phase that I have never noticed before, but the others don't look quite as bad. I don't want to integrate these 4 until I am sure that this one is not sick...

Here is a (not-very-good) picture of my chick's back:

 

[4 Love of Baby Chickens]

I've had chicks feather out that way. Don't worry. One is almost exactly like that right now except still has the fluff on his back.

 

[pgpoultry]

Yes there are definite signs on the back of feathers starting to grow. Your chick will soon be fully feathered,
Sandie

 

[otterbrook]

Thanks - I feel much better now

 

[ranchhand]

Don't want to make you nervous, but my last hatch had 4 bare backed chicks like that. I tried everything I could think of.

They all feathered in beautifully, after a while. Very slowly compared to the others. And I now have 4 roosters in need of homes...........................

 

[otterbrook]

Well, I suppose healthy roosters are better than sick hens....but they will be looking for a new home

 

[fastpat]

Quote:
Out of my 26 Partridge Rocks, one is like that. He's otherwise in good health, eats and drinks and isn't intimidated by the others.

Man, is he ever the ugly one though and always has been, small too.