My 4 week old (pullet or roo) is pecking at all it's feathers and not feathering in.

[bayouchickens]

I have eight 4 week old chicks. They are all different breeds with exception of two blue red laced wyndotts (straight run) I purchased locally. One of the BRLW feathered in nicely and had no problems, the other BRLW however took more time to start getting feathers, but then it started to appear stunted. Very random fill in patterns and it started pecking at its own feathers. I know the others aren't doing it to the chick because they are in my den and we see them all day. I see the pecking order. So to speak and this one is not at the bottom. Could it be mites though they are inside? The other chicks do not appear to be affected in any way like this poor little pullet (or roo).

**The first 3 picture are the chick with feather issues
The last picture is of the "healthy" BRLW.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It is probably a rooster which feather in more slowly. I have the exact same pair, the rooster is still half naked at 6 weeks where the pullet is fully feathered.

 

[bayouchickens]

Ok. We hypothesized (after much research in an attempt to find out what sex we had) about that a couple of weeks ago, but since I'm new to the backyard poultry world, I started second guessing and didn't want to ignore a potential health issue. Thank you!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

If it's a boy that comb will start turning red and enlarge in the next few weeks, by 6 weeks you should definitely see a difference if it is compared to the other.