chicks loosing feathers/getting bald!

[sjaved789]

Helpp.

I dont know what is wrong. I have 10 chicks in a brooder and 8 of them are like this. I have given them more food, they have lots of water. I changed their bedding for the first time last week and this has occurred since then. I checked their feet and they look fine to me but nevertheless I switched back to their old bedding. Could it be they are not getting enough heat?

 

[GrandmaBird]

looks like stress or vitamin plucking done to them selves, they eat the feathers, or are you finding the feathers in the enclosure or even by other birds. Be sure they are getting the proper amount of protein and calcium. And just for measures I would check the e heat, maybe too hot?

 

[ThaJuicyJuice]

Total guess, but I would say it's from other chicks in the brooder. Unless your feeding them junk, a starter will have what they need.

 

[sjaved789]

I am feeding them high quality starter feed. And no there are no feathers in the brooder so they r eating them. I have raised loads of quail before and have not changed anything except the bedding. I had another chick with this lot who stayed the size of a new born chick. It was vert strange, he would sleep all the time and never grew, he had feathers that looked so odd since he was so tiny. He died last week so could he have passed something on

 

[dc3085]

They're feather picking, now you need to find out why. It's a bad habit and almost impossible to break without involving a BBQ. It is most likely one or two birds causing all your problems.

 

[sjaved789]

They're feather picking, now you need to find out why. It's a bad habit and almost impossible to break without involving a BBQ. It is most likely one or two birds causing all your problems. 

Yes I have just found one of them pecking on the others. I am so annoyed as I was horrified to find one had passed away

 

[Sill]

You may be feeding them enough but I've found if the feed is not high enough in protein that can lead to picking. If you can find 28-30% protein turkey starter that will help them get the protein they need so they don't have to pick their flock mates seeking extra protein.

 

[sjaved789]

You may be feeding them enough but I've found if the feed is not high enough in protein that can lead to picking.  If you can find 28-30% protein turkey starter that will help them get the protein they need so they don't have to pick their flock mates seeking extra protein.

Hi the starter feed I use is 30 percent protein and I have always used it for my other flocks. It is clear it was one quail that was doing it as he had all his feathers and the others didnt and I actually witnessed him pecking on the others.

 

[Sill]

If you know it's just one particular bird then like dc says it's probably time for the BBQ. At my house they can become snake food if they are too small for the grill.