Frizzle, Sizzle, or Problem?

[The Eccentric]

I've a few week and a half old chicks who are just getting their wing and shoulder feathers in. (such cuties) Everyone seems to be doing really well but one of my little Australorp/Leghorn cross' feathers are coming in real wonky. Very fragile, scraggly and thin. She's a good weight, eating, drinking and pooping normally. No bugs that I could tell, healthy, perky and sassy as can be. She's not getting picked on and everyone else's feathers are fairly ordinary. I'm wondering if maybe some frizzle or silky got mixed in by accident? I'm hoping that's what it is rather than her being sick. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It's hard to judge a chicks feathers until thankfully come in, but isn't frizzle. What are you keeping it in? What are you feeding? Are you sure of the mix? Give it a few more weeks to feather.

 

[The Eccentric]

It's hard to judge a chicks feathers until thankfully come in, but isn't frizzle. What are you keeping it in? What are you feeding? Are you sure of the mix? Give it a few more weeks to feather.

Right now they're in a big cardboard box in my mudroom with wood shavings (not chips) as bedding. I'm feeding them a local 18% chick starter/grower. I think it's called Aslin Finch Feed? And I'm 95% sure on the breed mix. There's a possibility she's something else, but it's a small one.

Thanks for letting me know it's not frizzle. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

So is it a chick feed or a finch feed?

 

[DesertBird]

^ also curious. I don't know what Finch feed could do to a chicken.

 

[aart]

So is it a chick feed or a finch feed?

^ also curious. I don't know what Finch feed could do to a chicken.

I googled...'Finch' is a brand they do have chicken feed and other feeds.

 

[DesertBird]

I googled...'Finch' is a brand they do have chicken feed and other feeds.

Ooh, thanks!

 

[petmainia]

I don’t know, but that chick is cute!

 

[SueZoo]

Right now they're in a big cardboard box in my mudroom with wood shavings (not chips) as bedding. I'm feeding them a local 18% chick starter/grower. I think it's called Aslin Finch Feed? And I'm 95% sure on the breed mix. There's a possibility she's something else, but it's a small one.

Thanks for letting me know it's not frizzle. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

So chick is not getting any natural sunlight? Just light through windows is not adequate ... sunlight is vital for vitamin production among other things. Also I'd toss the shavings and use clean fine sand instead- get " play sand" which is used in children's sandboxes and it is clean and contaminant free.
The funky feathering may be caused by a number of things- genetic flaw, vitamin or mineral deficiency,- or something causing feather trauma, although that seems least likely . Move chicks to a secure draft free cage or pen that let's them see out,a d plac e it where they can get at least a couple of hours of sunlight every day.
Keep us posted ☺