New at this! Help with feather issue

[member 156247]

Hello,
We are just starting to raise quail and have nine 5 day old chicks. 7 are A&M, 1 is a Jumbo Brown and one is a Golden. Several of the A&Ms are looking "bald" on their wings and part of their back and neck. Is this normal? Not sure whether they are losing down or if they are sickly. Pecking is minimal as far as I've noticed. Feather shafts are exposed on their wings and on their backs where the feathers are missing the skin is red.
Any info is much appreciated!

 

[Peacerose]

I think you are seeing their new feathers growing in. On the 3rd-4th day the pin feathers start to grow and at first you can only see the shaft. Can you post a picture?

 

[member 156247]

Here is a picture of one of them. I hope you are right!

 

[TwoCrows]

It looks like they may be missing some down feathers in that area. Pretty bald looking. I have never raised A&M's before, only Bobwhites. But I do know that sometimes if the incubator temps were too high, execessive ventilation in incubator or even leaving them in the incubator after hatch too long before taking them out, they can have short, or a lack of down feathers.

They should eventually grow normal feathering, but may go thru this bald stage for a while.

 

[Peacerose]

I just recently had a big hatching of 20 white quails. They looked exactly like yours when they started to get feathers. Often I would look at them and be startled, thinking that several were injured. Nothing was ever wrong. It's just that their skin is so translucent, areas where there is a lot of blood flow -- like under the wing -- look deep red! And the spindly little feather shafts cover nothing. LOL!

 

[member 156247]

Phew! Sounds like all is well, then. They really don't seem bothered or sickly or anything. They just look so homely compared to a day or two ago! poor li'l ones! Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Caribear]

I agree, mine looked the same way. They do get mangier, so be prepared, lol! It's amazing to me how fast these little guys feather out.

 

[member 156247]

Agreed! From what I hear, they seem to be fast at everything!

 

[ClintDowns]

It is normal. Here is mine at 9 days old. They are really getting there feathers now. They are sure growing like a weed.

 

[member 156247]

Wow! Amazing how the coloring changes! Thanks for posting! I like your set up, btw!