I think you do have chicks that are slightly different ages, by a few days.
Chicks start off with fuzzy, fluffy looking feathers. They grow very fast and immediately start growing new feathers. As they grow, the new feathers will look like the feathers on an adult chicken. You'll really notice them on the wings, first. As time goes on, you'll see them all over the chick. Birds have feathers that are different lengths on their wings. They aren't all the same length.
When a new feather grows in, it's called a pin feather or blood feather. You'll eventually see some of these, too, although they can also be hidden under other feathers. The feather is all rolled up inside a tube as it's growing, with a blood supply. As it grows, the blood supply recedes from the tip, the tube on the outside is preened off and the feather unfurls.
The preened off tube bits look like dandruff and are one of the things that contribute to chicks being so dusty. Sometimes, you'll see what looks like dandruff on a bird, when it's growing new feathers. The feather will get longer and longer. Eventually the blood supply will all recede, it will all be unfurled and it will look like a normal feather.
It's good that you're noticing these things in your chicks. It means you're paying attention and making sure they don't have a problem. I think you're going to be a great chicken mom!
Chicks start off with fuzzy, fluffy looking feathers. They grow very fast and immediately start growing new feathers. As they grow, the new feathers will look like the feathers on an adult chicken. You'll really notice them on the wings, first. As time goes on, you'll see them all over the chick. Birds have feathers that are different lengths on their wings. They aren't all the same length.
When a new feather grows in, it's called a pin feather or blood feather. You'll eventually see some of these, too, although they can also be hidden under other feathers. The feather is all rolled up inside a tube as it's growing, with a blood supply. As it grows, the blood supply recedes from the tip, the tube on the outside is preened off and the feather unfurls.
The preened off tube bits look like dandruff and are one of the things that contribute to chicks being so dusty. Sometimes, you'll see what looks like dandruff on a bird, when it's growing new feathers. The feather will get longer and longer. Eventually the blood supply will all recede, it will all be unfurled and it will look like a normal feather.
It's good that you're noticing these things in your chicks. It means you're paying attention and making sure they don't have a problem. I think you're going to be a great chicken mom!
