Hello to all

[catlady58]

I have been a happy chicken owner? mistress? caregiver? for a year now. I started with 6 RIR and 6 Barred Rock hens. Lost one to illness at about 3 months. The eggs have been great and the "show" has been very funny.

My question is: My new babies (8 mixed Buff Orps) are 2-3 weeks old and look awful. They eat well and drink well, and are pretty active, but their feathers look awful. Either they have some terrible disease or they are getting their grown-up feathers already? I truly don't remember the babies last year looking so bad!

Any advice, consolation, or reassurance you might give would be gratefully received.

 

[dawg53]

Welcome to BYC.

 

[theoldchick]

 

[crtrlovr]

Hi there! It's nice to meet you! As for the look of your chickies, they're starting into that strange phase when they start getting their real feathers, and they'll have a straggly look to the feathers and will start getting the "gawky teenager" look very soon!

Gotta love those babies!

 

[catlady58]

Thank you crtrlovr! I keep thinking if it were something bad they would be dead.

 

[magistradomina]

Welcome! Glad to have you here!

 

[Wild Trapper]

from Ohio

 

[TiffyG]

Hi, if you want to take a look at my BYC page, there are some pictures of my bantam Cochins at 2-3 weeks of age. They were kind of ratty looking too. It didn't last long though. Now they are slick and beautiful! Hope this helps!

 

[MsBrown]

 

[catlady58]

Thank you, TiffyG. Your pictures make me feel better. Mine look a lot like yours except they are gold.