Do the same breeds feather differently?

[bpoore04]

So I have 6 chicks (4 Ameraucana, 1 Blue Australorp, 1 Buff Orpington) that will be a month old this week. Five of them are almost fully feathered - they still just have a little fuzz around their head. But one of them barely has any feathers at all (an Ameraucana). I am wondering why there is such a huge difference between this one and the others. They are all supposed to be females but I am wondering since this one is different could it be a little cockerel. Any input is welcome please!!

 

[Ridgerunner]

That should have no basis as far as sex goes. I wish sexing them were that easy.

It is possible there are genetic reasons for them feathering out differently like that. And yes, those differences can be within the same breed. It all depends on how knowledgeable the person that selects which chickens get to breed is and whether they care if they do know. How fast they feather out is usually not a top priority with many breeders.

Sometimes something is just not right with a chicken. They hatch with what you might call a birth defect. Don't panic, that doesn't mean it is anything bad. I assume it is about the same size as the others so it is not a runt. As long as it is eating, drinking, active, and growing it is doing fine. There is just something about it so it is not growing feathers as fast as the others.

You are not the only person to mention that on this forum. The vast majority of the time the chicks turn out to be fine.

 

[PoppasGrill]

Just like kids, my oldest son was bald until he was 2 yrs old, while my youngest had thick dark hair when he was born.
Chickens can be the same, different growth rates. As they get older we had 1st eggs a month apart on one clutch . If they are healthy, that’s all that matters