Light Brahma 5 week old feather loss/hen vs rooster

[Kacross76]

Hello, I am new to this site and incubating and raising hens - my 5 week old Lt Brahma is pretty bony and her feathers don’t look good- what could be the cause of this? She’s in brooder still with 7 of her hatch mates- hoping to set out in the coop within 1-2 weeks (Alaska still chilly) I’m not sure what to do- is it protein, “bullying”, etc? She seems fine in behavior and I take her out to eat on her own to be sure she’s eating enough. Thinking she’s a she? Thank you for any help!

 

[NatJ]

I think she is just growing feathers slowly, and should look much better in a few weeks-- maybe even in a few days.

It is normal for some chicks to grow their feathers faster than others.
Those feathers that look like skinny sticks are completely normal too. As they get longer, they will spread out and turn into normal fluffy feathers.

As for being bony, that is also normal for some breeds of chickens. Brahmas are well known for growing lots of bones first, and getting muscle (meat) very slowly. Of course this gets mentioned more often in threads about raising them for meat.

As long as she seems to be eating enough and acting normal, I would just keep an eye on her but not change anything.

(I have no idea about the gender on that chick. I was just saying "she" because that is what you were calling it.)

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC. How's your chick doing?

 

[Kacross76]

I think she is just growing feathers slowly, and should look much better in a few weeks-- maybe even in a few days.

It is normal for some chicks to grow their feathers faster than others.
Those feathers that look like skinny sticks are completely normal too. As they get longer, they will spread out and turn into normal fluffy feathers.

As for being bony, that is also normal for some breeds of chickens. Brahmas are well known for growing lots of bones first, and getting muscle (meat) very slowly. Of course this gets mentioned more often in threads about raising them for meat.

As long as she seems to be eating enough and acting normal, I would just keep an eye on her but not change anything.

(I have no idea about the gender on that chick. I was just saying "she" because that is what you were calling it.)

thank you, she still seems small compared to others, fluffing up a little, I appreciate your message!