Maybe molting?

[Quackersdelight]

Hello, I am not sure how old they are I believe maybe 10/11 weeks but my buffs went from soft and fluffy looking to ragged. They didn’t look like that last week.

 

[GlicksChicks]

Odd, have they been playing in mud? Has it rained recently? I know that sometimes my chickens look like that when they decide to take a roll in some mud.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hello, I am not sure how old they are I believe maybe 10/11 weeks but my buffs went from soft and fluffy looking to ragged. They didn’t look like that last week.

Yes they mini molt into their more adult and mature feathers around this age (10-12 weeks) making it about when gender specific saddle feathers can start to be seen on males.

ETA: they shouldn't be bald.. like the second pic on the back.. that would be feather plucking behavioral issue.. IF that's what I'm seeing.. it's a bit blurry.

 

[Quackersdelight]

The bald spot there is from under the wing and it’s around 2 weeks old. They all had that before I bought them. Most of them are starting to grow fancy feathers in these spots. Thankfully

 

[Quackersdelight]

Odd, have they been playing in mud? Has it rained recently? I know that sometimes my chickens look like that when they decide to take a roll in some mud.

It more than poured yesterday. I’m glad they’re just dusty and molting. I was worried I was doing something wrong!

 

[GlicksChicks]

It more than poured yesterday. I’m glad they’re just dusty and molting. I was worried I was doing something wrong!

They are probably just wet and playing in the mud! Chickens look pitiful when they are wet yet mine insist on standing in the rain.

 

[Quackersdelight]

They are probably just wet and playing in the mud! Chickens look pitiful when they are wet yet mine insist on standing in the rain.

They look fine today! I guess I just wanted to make sure. Thank you for your time!!!

 

[Quackersdelight]

Yes they mini molt into their more adult and mature feathers around this age (10-12 weeks) making it about when gender specific saddle feathers can start to be seen on males.

ETA: they shouldn't be bald.. like the second pic on the back.. that would be feather plucking behavioral issue.. IF that's what I'm seeing.. it's a bit blurry.

it’s not straight skin if that’s what you mean?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Hello, I am not sure how old they are I believe maybe 10/11 weeks but my buffs went from soft and fluffy looking to ragged. They didn’t look like that last week.

Probably a molt. They outgrow their feathers and need to replace them. Think how silly a grown hen would look if she had the feathers those chicks have. She'd have a lot of bare skin showing. Probably would not be able to fly with those tiny wing feathers.

Some chickens are fast molters. That's based on how fast the feathers fall out, not how fast they grow back. That is controlled by genetics. A fast molter can look really rough where a slow molter may still look pretty smooth.

I can't see well enough to think you have a feather plucking issue. If you see a bald spot that is a possibility.

It's always a good idea to check for mites or lice when they look rough. Check in the vent area for the mites or lice and the eggs. Roost mites only come out in the dark so check them with a flashlight. You might see some scurrying away from the light so don't waste time.

But I still say probably a juvenile molt. All chicks go through that.

 

[GlicksChicks]

They look fine today! I guess I just wanted to make sure. Thank you for your time!!!

Of course! That is good to hear, I guess you have a couple of mud bugs!