Missing feathers

[Marah101]

So I have a 7 week old leghorn that has some issues. First, she is about 3x the size of my other leghorn and is wobbly and not walking right. Also, for like 3 weeks or so she has been missing a bunch of feathers. Her entire underside looks naked and under her wings. About a week ago she was in a crate with 6 other chickens the same age as her and she got what I thought were some pretty bad pecking wounds. I separated her, cleaned off her wounds and treated it with neosporin ointment. You can hardly see them anymore, they healed pretty nicely. So I thought the feather loss must be from the other chickens. But I am just not sure given her other issues. I want to make sure nothing is seriously wrong with her. And I don’t understand why she/he is so large!? Also, I thought for sure she was a hen but I am now leaning towards roo because I think the one that pecked her is for sure a roo. She is eating and drinking fine (like a ridiculous amount) and none of the other chickens have any issues. Can someone help?!

 

[sourland]

I am sorry to tell you that is a Cornish X meat bird cockerel, and it's longevity will be limited. They are bred for rapid weight gain and early processing.

 

[Marah101]

Oh no! Is there anything I can do to keep him going? Like feeding it less? And what’s up with the feathers? I literally just saw him pulling out his own feathers.

 

[sourland]

Some folks have kept them alive up to a year by severely limiting feed and forcing them to forage. Sadly this only helps if they are on a restricted diet right from the start.

 

[Cayuga momma]

Awe I am so sorry. Some leghorns are bred to be meat birds. They grow large very fast. Some don't get feathered out like a normal leghorns. And then they are culled between 6 to 8 weeks, because they get to large to walk.
Maybe feed her a lower protein feed or add rolled oats to her feed. (I heard that can help lower the protein, but I could be wrong.)
Put her feed and water away from her coop so she has to walk further to get to it (exercise).
I am so sorry. I wish I knew more to help.

 

[21hens-incharge]

So I have a 7 week old leghorn that has some issues. First, she is about 3x the size of my other leghorn and is wobbly and not walking right. Also, for like 3 weeks or so she has been missing a bunch of feathers. Her entire underside looks naked and under her wings. About a week ago she was in a crate with 6 other chickens the same age as her and she got what I thought were some pretty bad pecking wounds. I separated her, cleaned off her wounds and treated it with neosporin ointment. You can hardly see them anymore, they healed pretty nicely. So I thought the feather loss must be from the other chickens. But I am just not sure given her other issues. I want to make sure nothing is seriously wrong with her. And I don’t understand why she/he is so large!? Also, I thought for sure she was a hen but I am now leaning towards roo because I think the one that pecked her is for sure a roo. She is eating and drinking fine (like a ridiculous amount) and none of the other chickens have any issues. Can someone help?!

I am so sorry. Sourland is correct, it is a meat bird.

 

[Marah101]

Thank you Both for your help