Eek! What is going on with my 7 week old chicks?

[mshirk]

They have been fully feathered, in the giant puffy Orpington way since 5 weeks. I just noticed today that they are getting a red tinge around the beak / ear / their tiny combs. I thought that happened around egglaying time (many many weeks from now?!)

Also, the run has about 30 feathers floating around, ranging from 2" to 6" in length. I started noticing them a few days ago. They are true feathers, not any fluff. My chicks are not feather plucking or bothering each other in any way, and have no bald spots and seem content. Do they lose feathers all the time like we lose hair? Or are they doing some sort of teenager molt?

I'm a little worried, I haven't read anything about these things happening so young. Is this like early puberty?!

 

[Judy]

All sounds normal to me.

 

[AccentOnHakes]

Their combs will get redder as they lay, but yes, turning pink/red is fine. The feathers come from them molting.

 

[mshirk]

So they will molt just after they got all their feathers? I thought they would keep these until late fall and molt then. If they molt now, does that mean they will molt every spring?

Very confused.

 

[Arielle]

It's disconcerting to see all those feathers--had me scared too. So I did a little searching for info. Everyone talks about the chicks feathering out. MOstly because they are more able to be outside and not need a heat source so much . . . . but apparently they molt again, or keep losing like they are molting. My girls are about 3 months, and their coop is well feathered!!!! THe big ones, 4-5 inches from the LF. GL

 

[SassyKat6181]

they seem to constantly lose and gain some feathers as they grow, it's just not as dramatic as a molt.

 

[CrazyCatLady76]

My understanding is they grow new, bigger feathers every month or so. I guess they outgrow their feather suits just like human kids outgrow clothes.

 

[mshirk]

Thanks everyone for putting my mind at ease! I wasn't aware of this mini-molt stuff.

 

[ranchhand]

I call it the "junior molt", just scattering feathers around for fun.

And to keep me nervous.