Is my 2-week-old broiler chick’s breast normal?

[mikahakkinen]

Like, is this molting or is it rubbing against something/taking its down out?

 

[HollowOfWisps]

It’s normal. They lose their baby down in patches.

 

[mikahakkinen]

It’s normal. They lose their baby down in patches.

Okay, thank you! Is it odd if it is only one of few that are starting to molt like that, though? Like, not many others are quite just yet.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Okay, thank you! Is it odd if it is only one of few that are starting to molt like that, though? Like, not many others are quite just yet.

Not odd at all. They always molt at different rates even when they get older. I have had chickens molting starting mid August and now some just started to molt in my 2-4 year old chicken group.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I'm not sure that is molting. Molting typically follows a certain pattern, head and neck first, then other body parts. I think that broiler chick is growing so fast the down can't keep up. Still normal, nothing to worry about. It is not that unusual for broiler chicks to grow that fast.

Another possibility. That down looks like it is kind of matted, not its normal fluffy. Did it get into something sticky or wet? I still think it is the broiler chick growing so fast but if something is matting that down it will look even worse.

 

[mikahakkinen]

I'm not sure that is molting. Molting typically follows a certain pattern, head and neck first, then other body parts. I think that broiler chick is growing so fast the down can't keep up. Still normal, nothing to worry about. It is not that unusual for broiler chicks to grow that fast.

Another possibility. That down looks like it is kind of matted, not its normal fluffy. Did it get into something sticky or wet? I still think it is the broiler chick growing so fast but if something is matting that down it will look even worse.

They have been getting into their water, but that is now fixed. It does feel a little dry