new chick has crusty feathers?

[melmonkey]

hello- l have had chicks hatching ( with the mother hen- not an incubator) for a week now. all are healthy little balls of fluff. but l noticed today that a chick that seems to have hatched overnight ( he wasn't in the nest box yesterday) is NOT fluffy, but has a thick crust covering most of his feathers. ls this normal? none of the other chicks looked like this. ls it just that is he is so new ?? will this layer come off? even his head looks like it has thick glue on it. thanks for any info!!

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Sounds like the chick was a sticky hatch.

If it was me, I would wash the chick in some warm water or with a warm wet cloth - to clean the egg goo off. Dry with the hair dry set on low before returning to mom. That will help the chick fluff up.