Lack of feathers on 6week Orpington

[Sinko_26]

Hey guys

is the lack of feathers on this Buff at 6+weeks old an issue?
Is there anything I can do to help her along
Someone suggested vitamins in the water.

Cheers for any help

 

[3KillerBs]

Could be the slow-feathering gene. My two male Langshans had that and took a long time to grow their feathers in: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/black-langshans-two-of-three-late-to-feather.1476763/

 

[swamphiker]

If the chick seems okay aside from being late to feather, I wouldn't do anything special except monitor its weight. That way you can see if it is still growing. Perhaps it is just a late bloomer. Also, based on the redness of its comb the second set of photos, I think the little buff orpington is a cockerel.

 

[Sinko_26]

Could be the slow-feathering gene. My two male Langshans had that and took a long time to grow their feathers in: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/black-langshans-two-of-three-late-to-feather.1476763/

I did read about this and orpingtons are part of that gene.
hopefully that’s it.

did your Langshans turn out all good in the end?

 

[3KillerBs]

I did read about this and orpingtons are part of that gene.
hopefully that’s it.

did your Langshans turn out all good in the end?

I lost Kung Pao to a freak accident, but En Croute (now renamed Ludwig, as the king of Neuchickenstein by my DH's request), is coming up on 6 months in good health. As would be expected for his breed, he's late maturing -- just finishing his final juvenile molt and, though crowing, not yet trying to mate that I've observed.

He's gloriously beautiful in full-feather even though he's still got that awkward, gangly teenager look.

 

[jher77]

Cut out the treats if giving any and feed a high protein quality feed. The feed should have all the vitamins it needs. If the feed is old, the vitamins can break down over time and be an issue.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Hey guys

is the lack of feathers on this Buff at 6+weeks old an issue?
Is there anything I can do to help her along
Someone suggested vitamins in the water.

Cheers for any help

View attachment 2880663View attachment 2880664View attachment 2880666View attachment 2880667

What are you feeding?

Also, the chick may just be a runt, or failure to thrive.

 

[Sinko_26]

What are you feeding?

Also, the chick may just be a runt, or failure to thrive.

Chick starter

Hope not she’s my only buff

 

[kurby22]

I did read about this and orpingtons are part of that gene.
hopefully that’s it.

did your Langshans turn out all good in the end?

I had one I posted about back in May that I was worried about too! He is a lavender Orp and at 8 weeks he was still almost ALL fluff! I made sure they got chicke starter and sometimes some added protein treats and waited patiently. He caught up eventually and the woman who bought him from me sent me this picture—no one would guess he was lacking feathers! I’m guessing your baby is just slow feathering like mine! As long as he’s eating and drinking and acting normal I wouldn’t worry yet!

 

[kurby22]

I lost Kung Pao to a freak accident, but En Croute (now renamed Ludwig, as the king of Neuchickenstein by my DH's request), is coming up on 6 months in good health. As would be expected for his breed, he's late maturing -- just finishing his final juvenile molt and, though crowing, not yet trying to mate that I've observed.

He's gloriously beautiful in full-feather even though he's still got that awkward, gangly teenager look.

View attachment 2887107

He’s very handsome! I have a bird that is a mix of Cochin and something. Either Marans, Cochin, Isbar or Langshan was the father. She has really similar coloring to your Langshan…I wonder if I will ever know!