Chick with bald patch over crop

[impr3]

It's not really a bald patch, but I couldn't think of a better brief description for the title. It looks more partially plucked with the remaining fluff damp/sweaty (except I know chickens don't sweat).

(S)he's 13 days old and I first noticed this yesterday. At first I figured (s)he had just taken a dunk in the water bowl, but then I noticed it again today.

His/her crop it kind of firm but it's also the end of a long day of eating and they all just pigged out on their favorite fermented feed so I don't think it's abnormal. (S)he seems to be behaving normally and is definitely still interested in eating. Even though food is available 24/7, none of them seem to eat at night so I'll check his/her crop in the morning to be sure it's emptying.

It also doesn't seem to be a pecking problem, I haven't noticed any of them pecking at it.

They all look kind of like alien dinosaurs right now with their strange mix of feathers and fluff, so I'm hoping it's just a normal part of chick development, but wanted to check in to make sure it's not an early sign of something bad.

Thanks for any input you can share!

 

[MadamPoofyBrow]

Chicks will often have bald spots on their crops, it is very rarely cause for concern. It’s just one of the places the feathers don’t grow in as quickly - more noticeable when their crop is full. She looks like she just got wet and made it stand out more.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Baby chicks look like that. No need to worry about them as long as their crop goes down when they sleep

 

[impr3]

Thank you both for putting my mind at ease so I can sleep tonight! I'll check the crop in the morning.

 

[impr3]

Forgot to update. Checked all their crops this morning and there doesn't seem to be an issue. Given (s)he is still behaving normally, that's several points in the this-is-probably-normal column.