Chicks rate of 'feathering out'?

[Granny Hatchet]

btw, all of you have a fine looking bunch of fluffy butts. nothing wrong with any of them

 

[Fred's Hens]

Very dependent on a lot of things. No rules.

Hatchery sourced Barred Rocks feather out, almost entirely, at 5 weeks. Heritage lines of Standard bred Barred Rocks are still almost naked at 6 weeks. That is, in part, what gives them their laser sharp barring, while the hatchery sourced Barred Rocks are muddled and cuckoo in comparison.

 

[realtreegirl]

Mine were born 3/7 and no where near that feathered. Should I be concerned?

 

[fluffpuffgerbil]

It's neat that it varies so much depending on everyone's birds though. I figured there was no problems with any of them, I just found it interesting how it varies. Also mine are all hatchery birds(not sure which hatchery Wilco uses though, maybe I'll ask if I go to pic up a few more chicks....)

 

[Blooie]

Nah, I think the only thing you'd worry about with those little cuties would be if they suddenly grew webbed feet & switched their beaks for bills! The right time for feathering is when it's right by their little internal clocks, and some clocks run a little fast, some a little slow, and some are right on time.

 

[Jhawker]

I picked up some Jubilee Orpington chicks 4 days ago. The ages range from a few days to about one month old. I think the big chicks feathers look rough. They kind of stick up and don't lay like the Wyandottes and Leghorns that are three weeks old.

 

[Jhawker]

I chose not to keep the chicks from different sources separate and now regret it. I thought what if the J.O. That came from a private breeder have mites or something. I don't really know the signs of mites. So I decided to use a bit of Diatomacious Earth just in case. I pick up each chick and apply a pinch of DE under each wing, on the lower tummy and base of the neck.
It was time to clean out the brooder stock tank anyway so I sprinkled DE on the floor and where the walls join the floor, add the pine shavings and return the chicks. They start digging and scratching and eating the DE under the shavings. Have I Overdosed my chicks on DE?
We've had Laying hens for 30 years. They've always been free range, healthy and productive. I've never wormed a chicken in my life or known them to have health ailments. I wanted something different from the white layers and RIR we've always had and I paid far more for these Jubilee's than I ever imagined I would for a chicken. Now I'm afraid They will all end of sick or dead because I'm so concerned about their health and well being.