HELP! Chicks losing feathers on wings and back!!

[Rowsdower]

It appears that their bodies are simply outgrowing their feathers/down. This happens. We call it the Skeksis stage at my house.

 

[queend725]

And another...

 

[Nupe]

I think Rows is correct. At 4 weeks they wouldn't really have feathers to lose. They're losing their fluff to replace with feathers. You didn't mention breed. Perhaps they grow faster.

Are you giving them treats that could dilute their protein? You could help them out by giving them a protein boost of cooked eggs, meat or fresh Gelfling.

 

[Rowsdower]

I don't see any cause for alarm in those pics.

 

[queend725]

It appears that their bodies are simply outgrowing their feathers/down.  This happens.  We call it the Skeksis stage at my house.

is it normal? Should I try to do anything, or will they grow feathers back on their own? Could any of this be from a protein deficiency?

 

[Rowsdower]

It IS normal. He's not losing feathers, he's just getting bigger and the down/feathers are having a hard time covering him up. The feathers will come in soon, perhaps sooner with a bit of added protein, but I doubt he's deficient.

 

[queend725]

I don't see any cause for alarm in those pics.

Thank you! It makes me feel better that others see the pics and done freak out, lol! I'm still fairly new at the whole chicken thing, and I panic at every little thing!

 

[Rowsdower]

Thank you! It makes me feel better that others see the pics and done freak out, lol! I'm still fairly new at the whole chicken thing, and I panic at every little thing!

I've been keeping chickens for several years and just last week I had to take a second look at a chick that looks very much like yours. My sister was here and she said, "what's wrong with that chick's neck?" I had to pick him up and examine him thoroughly before telling her what I told you. I don't think I've ever truly stopped panicking. lol

 

[Becky3735]

Yup! That's exactly what my chicks looked like! Good new though, I can't really tell you what it was but I treated them with poultry dust and ivermectin and they are slowly growing their feathers back! I never saw any lice or mites and they never seemed sick?!?!? So I really don't know what it was. I used the ivermectin that absorbed through the skin, which was really easy because of the missing feathers. Please let me know if it works for you or if you find out what it was cause, I am curious to know! Also I removed them from the heat lamp all together, just in case it was too much heat. Just curious, do you use pine bedding? I wondered if that had something to do with it somehow.

 

[Becky3735]

I just read some of the other replies and I had one chick that ended up almost completely naked on his back and wings, it wasn't normal. It started out just like in your pic. One more question, did your chicks come from a hatchery or chain store? Because those were the ones affected at my house. I have never had this happen to any I hatched or bought from other local breeders.