Just got new 8wk old pullets, all are missing feathers

[My1stChickens]

Yesterday I went to get some new pullets, trying to build up a flock. I had gone for some 5 month olds, but when I got there, they were all gone so I ended up looking at the 8 week old group. This group was younger than I preferred, but included four breeds I was seeking-- so I came home with a Blue Cukoo Maran, a Barnvelder and two Easter Eggers. I'm sure hoping they are really pullets, because the 5 I got earlier this year ended up having 2 roosters. At any rate, they were all bright, alert, clearly eating and drinking well. But most had missing feathers. The ones I brought home are all missing tail feathers, and some are really bare on most of their back if they spread their wings and uncover it. They were eating pellets, but I'm giving them Klambach 20% chick starter and they are eating it well. Gave them some mixed grubs and mealworms and they cleaned those up. Put electrolytes/vitamins in their water, and they are drinking well. I believe the missing feathers were due to about 125 8 week olds being in a shelter/run that was maybe 400 square feet- crowded. And they had just been moved up to this bigger run, the previous run was probably 250 sq feet.

They are quarantining in 144 square feet, so plenty of room. They have not been handled, so are very wary of me. But I'll go and sit quietly each day and they will learn that scattering meal worms means treats rather than act terrified. Is there anything else I should do for their feathers? They've never had a roost, so have shown zero interest in the roost. Not sure I could catch them without a net at this point so I'm mostly seeking remedies I can put in their food or water, if high protein food and snacks are not all I should be doing.

 

[LoveMyPeepers]

When buying pullets it's pretty common for them to be missing feathers especially from the tail. Mainly because the hatcheries are not good at taking care of them and they pullets pick on each other, also because they are often stressed from cruel treatment and moving. They should regrow them soon, no worries!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Chicks go through juvenile molts as they grow. They outgrow their feathers and need to replace them. Think how silly a grown chicken would look if they still had the feathers of a 4-week-old.

While it is always a good idea to check any of your chickens for mites or lice whether you see feather issues or not, it is very common for immature chicks to be missing feathers. It is not because of animal cruelty, people being abusive, or some type of conspiracy. It is simply something that happens as chicks go from being chicks to adults.

 

[rosemarythyme]

My guess is you're correct, they were being picked on because of crowding or possibly being mixed with older birds. Young birds molt and refeather rapidly so they should start looking better soon.

Like this chick came looking picked over from a feed store lot:

Same bird 12 days later:

 

[Perris]

I ended up looking at the 8 week old group

they were all bright, alert, clearly eating and drinking well. But most had missing feathers. The ones I brought home are all missing tail feathers, and some are really bare on most of their back if they spread their wings and uncover it.

This is common especially with slow feathering chicks. I have been raising chicks within the flock in a backyard setting since 2018 btw. There are 5 different recognised feathering rates from very slow to very fast and they are not breed specific; you may just have slow featherers there. (It is not in itself a bad thing btw, as long as they can keep warm somehow.)

Is there anything else I should do for their feathers?

It sounds to me like you are doing fine.

They've never had a roost, so have shown zero interest in the roost.

None of mine normally roost at that age. Most take it to it as they are maturing into adults. Some never really take to the roost and will sleep on the floor in preference (even when alone; this is not a bullying issue). Some commercial birds don't perch either, possibly those with a genetic tendency to keel blisters or other sensitivity to perching. Floor roosting is obviously less hygienic if the coop floor is mucky, or in nests as it can lead to dirty eggs, but in a clean coop or where no-one is laying it is not obviously problematic. I let my birds roost where and how they want.

 

[My1stChickens]

My guess is you're correct, they were being picked on because of crowding or possibly being mixed with older birds. Young birds molt and refeather rapidly so they should start looking better soon.

Like this chick came looking picked over from a feed store lot:
View attachment 4227419

Same bird 12 days later:
View attachment 4227420

Yes! The first picture is how they look! Except two of them literally have not a single tail feather. But the bare patches do look like that, poor babies. Luckily I already had the 20% chick crumble, and they are eating a lot of meal worms/grub mix. I hope these recover as quickly. The picture I have doesn't show the full extent, but when they set down, those side feathers drop and expose their bare backs. They seem to be grooming themselves a lot, once I can catch them I need to check for mites or lice. They did not have a roost at the feed store, so they just sleep on the floor-- and are extremely skittish. Don't think they've been handled at all.

 

[My1stChickens]

This is common especially with slow feathering chicks. I have been raising chicks within the flock in a backyard setting since 2018 btw. There are 5 different recognised feathering rates from very slow to very fast and they are not breed specific; you may just have slow featherers there. (It is not in itself a bad thing btw, as long as they can keep warm somehow.)

It sounds to me like you are doing fine.

None of mine normally roost at that age. Most take it to it as they are maturing into adults. Some never really take to the roost and will sleep on the floor in preference (even when alone; this is not a bullying issue). Some commercial birds don't perch either, possibly those with a genetic tendency to keel blisters or other sensitivity to perching. Floor roosting is obviously less hygienic if the coop floor is mucky, or in nests as it can lead to dirty eggs, but in a clean coop or where no-one is laying it is not obviously problematic. I let my birds roost where and how they want.

Thank you so much!
I got some Americanas earlier this year, the same age, and they were fierce about roosting as high as possible. They actually tried to go over the top of the 8.5' walls, and I had to hang netting as a "roof" to keep them in! I clean things up daily, and they have 12x12 space with shavings on the floor so it's clean and dry. Their little poops are tiny, so I don't get them all up, but I turn the shavings.

 

[Perris]

They seem to be grooming themselves a lot, once I can catch them I need to check for mites or lice.

yes I would do that; looking at that photo I suspect some sort of ectoparasite is at work. An entire ecosystem lives in and on the feathers, most of them harmless, and many of them largely unaffected by treatments we might try to get rid of them (or indeed, by moulting).

But those birds look to have something else going on that is causing them real irritation. You might find it useful to hold them over a tray or suchlike when you do catch and inspect them, and then use a magnifying glass to look carefully at any detritus left behind on the tray, especially anything that moves. It's quite important to try to identify the culprit so that you can target your treatment accordingly.