Help skin problem on chicks!!!!!

[greatchicken]

I have three little Black Australorps and they seem to be having some trouble growing feathers. I checked them over and did not see anything wrong but they look bad. They are strong and not showing any signs of sickness. I have removed them from the brooder and put them in their own area. Does anyone have an idea of what is going on?

Sorry about the pics but all we have right now is the camaras on our phones.

Thanks
Shaun

 

[Judy]

How old are they? Is this your first batch of chicks? How many do you have in all? Breeds?

Just looking at the pics, I would guess this is normal feather growth. They can look pretty moth eaten when the feathers are coming in. I don't mean to make light of your concern, and there could certainly be something else going on.

 

[greatchicken]

They are 4 weeks old. This is our second batch of chicks. They are in with several different breeds and these three seem to be the only ones that look like this. They are Black Australorps. I was just wondering because they look so different from the rest of them. We have 3 other Black Australorps and they look fine.

 

[Judy]

Sounds like my guess is wrong, then. Sorry. I suppose you have checked for lice/mites? Not sure where they'd get them, but....

 

[pips&peeps]

They look like the have the slow feathering gene and tardy feathering. They are most likely cockerels.

 

[chicmom]

I have a chick that's definitely a rooster, and sometimes roosters will look like that. They keep their baby fuzz for a long time, and just get the wing feathers first......While everybody else is nearly fully feathered.......

Now, just for curiousity, what are you feeding them? Hopefully a good chick grower.......

 

[greatchicken]

Quote:
We have checked for lice/mites and found nothing. These all came out of the pullet bin at TSC.

We are feeding them 20% chick starter. It is Dumar from TSC.

Thanks
Shaun

 

[Judy]

Another possibility I just thought of is, they aren't Black Australorps, or they are but come from a different breeding ine at the hatchery.

Will be interesting to find out the outcome; I hope you'll let us know.l

 

[greatchicken]

I am not 100% sure if they are Black Australorps or not. My wife bought them and she said that is what the tank said. I was just concerned that they are missing large sections of feathers.

I will keep everyone updated. I have seperated them from the rest for the time being.

Thanks
Shaun