HELP - Feather issue with 25 day old Faverolles

[CAMNER]

Hi All,

I apologize it seems I only post when I need help, but I haven't felt this unprepared since the first of our four daughters was born nearly 15 years ago...

We received six pullets from Murray McMurray, that were born on 7/12, various breeds. All were/are thriving in the brooder, until a few days ago we noticed the lone Faverolles seemed to be missing feathers on her right shoulder blade. Assuming it was other chicks picking on her, we chose the other most docile (a Black Australorp) to be her "brooder buddy", and moved the other four (including the more rambunctious chicks) into the "step-up" brooder, before integrating with our older pullets we also got this summer (four 3-month old and seven 2-month olds, from a local 'ranch').

Flash forward a few days later and we've OCD been watching the Faverolles with her brooder buddy, and they are happy as could be. But Padme (the Faverolles) shoulder situation is worsening and we no longer expect she's being pecked. I've included pictures below for your thoughts.

We (independent of this issue) have the "Chicken Nurse of Athol" coming to meet the flock and give everyone a once-over and discuss our outdoor run plans, diet, etc on Monday afternoon. But I worry Padme the Faverolles may be in rougher shape by then.

Thoughts? Am I just being a high-strung "new" mom (I have a history - ha), or is there something we need to action, ASAP? Thanks in advance! So thankful for all the knowledge we've gained on BYC!

Ariella in Southern NH

 

[Blue Raptor]

Hi All,

I apologize it seems I only post when I need help, but I haven't felt this unprepared since the first of our four daughters was born nearly 15 years ago...

We received six pullets from Murray McMurray, that were born on 7/12, various breeds. All were/are thriving in the brooder, until a few days ago we noticed the lone Faverolles seemed to be missing feathers on her right shoulder blade. Assuming it was other chicks picking on her, we chose the other most docile (a Black Australorp) to be her "brooder buddy", and moved the other four (including the more rambunctious chicks) into the "step-up" brooder, before integrating with our older pullets we also got this summer (four 3-month old and seven 2-month olds, from a local 'ranch').

Flash forward a few days later and we've OCD been watching the Faverolles with her brooder buddy, and they are happy as could be. But Padme (the Faverolles) shoulder situation is worsening and we no longer expect she's being pecked. I've included pictures below for your thoughts.

We (independent of this issue) have the "Chicken Nurse of Athol" coming to meet the flock and give everyone a once-over and discuss our outdoor run plans, diet, etc on Monday afternoon. But I worry Padme the Faverolles may be in rougher shape by then.

Thoughts? Am I just being a high-strung "new" mom (I have a history - ha), or is there something we need to action, ASAP? Thanks in advance! So thankful for all the knowledge we've gained on BYC!

Ariella in Southern NH

Did it get messy there? Maybe that's why the feathers are coming off, the dirt/poop pulled them off.
Also I'm glad this website has been helpful for you!

 

[CAMNER]

Additional pictures of the rest of Padme the Faverolles's "better side"...

 

[CAMNER]

Did it get messy there? Maybe that's why the feathers are coming off, the dirt/poop pulled them off.
Also I'm glad this website has been helpful for you!

If all it is is messy, should I give her a bath with water? She seems to love her dirt (or rather pine shavings) baths - much to our hilarity.

 

[Shezadandy]

If all it is is messy, should I give her a bath with water? She seems to love her dirt (or rather pine shavings) baths - much to our hilarity.

Yes, if you can try to spot treat the messy area, you'll likely find with a quick blow dry that the fuzz goes back to normal. I would go with a very small amount of a mild dish soap- if you have a small syringe or eyedropper, suck the soapy water up and use a qtip or some gauze as your washcloth as you squirt the mild soapy solution onto the messy spot. Once the crusty stuff is broken up, switch to spot rinsing with plain warm water to get the soap off ...

Then dry it as best you can with something gentle, like high quality toilet paper - and a quick shot with a blow dryer to refluff her fuzz.

 

[Blue Raptor]

If all it is is messy, should I give her a bath with water? She seems to love her dirt (or rather pine shavings) baths - much to our hilarity.

Our chicks do that too! It doesn't help them, but it does train them (much to our hilarity of watching)! You might not want to soak the entire chick, but just use a soft paper (or normal) towel and wipe the spot with warm water until it's clean. You may have to use a tiny bit of soap, but make sure you get all that out.
Otherwise, you have a very pretty bird!

 

[CAMNER]

Yes, if you can try to spot treat the messy area ...

Brilliant; thanks so much for the detail. I'm so relieved it doesn't sound serious - whew! Cleaning squawking / squirming things is a speciality of mine - ha!

 

[CAMNER]

Our chicks do that too! It doesn't help them, but it does train them (much to our hilarity of watching)! You might not want to soak the entire chick, but just use a soft paper (or normal) towel and wipe the spot with warm water until it's clean. You may have to use a tiny bit of soap, but make sure you get all that out.
Otherwise, you have a very pretty bird!

Thanks so much for help and detail! So relieved it doesn't sound serious! Thanks again!

 

[Blue Raptor]

Thanks so much for help and detail! So relieved it doesn't sound serious! Thanks again!

No problem!

 

[CAMNER]

HUGE thank yous to Blue Raptor and Shezadandy! Padme wouldn't choose to repeat the process, but she looks so, so much better! Thank you, thank you for spot-bath instructions!