Is there something wrong? Matted feathers.

[Theresa7]

Hi everyone! I am new to this, and have 6 barred rock chicks. One of them recently developed some matted feathers on the top of her wing. I’m not sure if that’s they would be described... they almost feel like there’s something on them. It’s only near the shoulders. She’s pooping and eating normally. A bit noisy and occasionally distress calling. What could it be? Dr Google isn’t helping much.

 

[Ellie in FL]

Hi everyone! I am new to this, and have 6 barred rock chicks. One of them recently developed some matted feathers on the top of her wing. I’m not sure if that’s they would be described... they almost feel like there’s something on them. It’s only near the shoulders. She’s pooping and eating normally. A bit noisy and occasionally distress calling. What could it be? Dr Google isn’t helping much.

 

[nszrmch]

Could you try and get a little better picture? From what I can see it looks pretty normal for feathers that are growing in, but I might just not be able to tell

 

[Ellie in FL]

Dear Theresa, I would first get some shavings for the Brooder, I used Pine shavings. They Might come with mites, a lesson I learned from Robbie at Keys Kritters, Key Largo FL.
There is a natural mineral? called DE, or Dimetrious Earth. I know that it is spelled wrong, but a good pet store uses it in Parrot cages/bird cages who dust. Can also be purchased at any ACE/true Value store. I had never heard of it. When I brooded chicks, I do half to 2/3rd of shavings and the DE, ank give them real dirt. I usually just go pull some weeds, roots are the most important, so they get stronger scratching, and they loved the bugs. Swap the weeds out every other day. The DE, is safe in food, water. Only need to use say 2 oz per every 3 sq ft.
FOllow the directions, or google DE, diametrius Earth. Best 3 to 20 bucks you will ever spend.
Every time I clean the coop, or add bedding, I put the DE mixed with the shavings. I use Cedar, but Pine shavings work just fine too. Babies will also learn how to dirt bath dust ,with a 1/3 of pen designated to the normal bathing. My chicks start taking dirt bath as soon as their pin feathers come in on their wings. The Hen Speckle has them, the babies in the HOLE, in 6 days or less. Good luck. [email protected]

 

[Theresa7]

Dear Theresa, I would first get some shavings for the Brooder, I used Pine shavings. They Might come with mites, a lesson I learned from Robbie at Keys Kritters, Key Largo FL.
There is a natural mineral? called DE, or Dimetrious Earth. I know that it is spelled wrong, but a good pet store uses it in Parrot cages/bird cages who dust. Can also be purchased at any ACE/true Value store. I had never heard of it. When I brooded chicks, I do half to 2/3rd of shavings and the DE, ank give them real dirt. I usually just go pull some weeds, roots are the most important, so they get stronger scratching, and they loved the bugs. Swap the weeds out every other day. The DE, is safe in food, water. Only need to use say 2 oz per every 3 sq ft.
FOllow the directions, or google DE, diametrius Earth. Best 3 to 20 bucks you will ever spend.
Every time I clean the coop, or add bedding, I put the DE mixed with the shavings. I use Cedar, but Pine shavings work just fine too. Babies will also learn how to dirt bath dust ,with a 1/3 of pen designated to the normal bathing. My chicks start taking dirt bath as soon as their pin feathers come in on their wings. The Hen Speckle has them, the babies in the HOLE, in 6 days or less. Good luck. [email protected]

They do have shavings in the brooder. This photo is when we had her out on a towel

 

[Theresa7]

Could you try and get a little better picture? From what I can see it looks pretty normal for feathers that are growing in, but I might just not be able to tell

I’ll try! It’s hard to tell in the photos.

 

[Theresa7]

Here’s a better photo

 

[rosemarythyme]

Looks like some poop on the feathers on her wings in the latest photo.