Concern for my Cemani babies

[neyco]

Attached are pics of my 4 week old cemani babies which are showing rough spots.


These chicks were hatched in the house and then put into the brooder right next to it. They have never seen another chicken or any bird for that matter. They have never been outside either. I do not see anything that resembles lice or mites. They do not appear to be itching or picking.

Could it be just that i never noticed this on my other chickens since they were all lighter colored and this is normal as they feather in?

Thanks.

 

[azygous]

I'm sorry, but those pics don't show much. Are you concerned with rough spots on skin or on feathers? Could you be feeling pin feathers? That would be normal.

I'd also mention that at four weeks chicks no longer need a heat lamp during the day, and if it's around 70F at night, they no longer need it then, either. They should be weaned off heat completely between now and five weeks. In fact, they should be spending their entire day outdoors, and could even move into the coop now.

 

[neyco]

The lamp is not heating much the room is around 65 during the day and 60 at night so the lamp is just keeping it from dropping too low. Temp in tank is around 70. We have been having temps around 30 outside lately so was planning on waiting another week or two before moving them outside.

Anyway the concern is the small white spots at the base of the feather shaft and a dusting like dandruff, I circled the area in the attached pic. I can try to get a better pic when I get home.

Like is said they do not look like lice that I have seen before and I do not see any moving around near the vent or backside so I am leaning toward it not being that, but could be wrong. Just trying to see if there might be another idea.

 

[azygous]

When you post your next photo, select "full size for all images". That will enable us to zoom in and see maximum detail.

As feathers grow in, chicks' down feathers are shed. This causes shedding of dander and feather follicles. Probably you're seeing it for the first time since these are black chicks. Do you think that's possible?

 

[sourland]

When you post your next photo, select "full size for all images". That will enable us to zoom in and see maximum detail.

As feathers grow in, chicks' down feathers are shed. This causes shedding of dander and feather follicles. Probably you're seeing it for the first time since these are black chicks. Do you think that's possible?

What @azygous says, plus the sheath on the pin feathers sloughs off and is more noticeable on black skinned/feathered birds. They are doing fine.

 

[chickens really]

I think it's just feather growth and down falling off...Brooding in an aquarium prevents air flow and might be causing dry skin and creating more dander...

 

[deepbluesea]

When my newbies feathers were coming in, the shafts had a white sheath thing that flaked like that. I could see it on the dark ones but not the light ones, so that might be it.

 

[neyco]

Thanks all. I was hoping that might be the case. I will keep an eye on them but not worry to much.