Not feathering at 4+ weeks

[kayla43]

I have a chick who is at least 4 weeks old (unsure of exact age) that looks to be bald in spots and her feathers look a little different from the others in the flock (more sparse & some almost look greasy). We have a heat plate on at all times in the brooder but she chooses to walk around all day shivering. Is this normal? Should we do anything to help her feathers come in? Overall she is eating/drinking/acting normal. This is our first time raising chicks. Thanks in advance!

 

[_-Captain BRM-_]

Looks like their coming in, just slower. Maybe she'll go through a quick spurt or it'll take a week longer or something.

 

[Lor]

I have a chick who is at least 4 weeks old (unsure of exact age) that looks to be bald in spots and her feathers look a little different from the others in the flock (more sparse & some almost look greasy). We have a heat plate on at all times in the brooder but she chooses to walk around all day shivering. Is this normal? Should we do anything to help her feathers come in? Overall she is eating/drinking/acting normal. This is our first time raising chicks. Thanks in advance!

I have a chick who is still slowly feathering at 7 weeks but otherwise doing fine.
It was suggested I add more protein so have been giving them some scrambled egg a few days a week.

 

[Battlepants]

Looks about right for 4 weeks, maybe a little under developed (but that could be blamed on the breed).

What kind of feed are you giving?
Did you provide grit?
Are you giving treats or other non-standard food items?

 

[kayla43]

Looks about right for 4 weeks, maybe a little under developed (but that could be blamed on the breed).

What kind of feed are you giving?
Did you provide grit?
Are you giving treats or other non-standard food items?

We feed them Dumor chick starter crumbles and only just introduced grit. Also starting some treats (so far mealworms and shredded carrots). We have 3 Black Australorp (pictured above) & 3 Rhode Island Red.

 

[kayla43]

I have a chick who is still slowly feathering at 7 weeks but otherwise doing fine.
It was suggested I add more protein so have been giving them some scrambled egg a few days a week.

Awesome, maybe this weekend I will try introducing some scrambled eggs as a treat. Thank you!

 

[Battlepants]

I'd probably cut the mealworms entirely out for the time being - they are high in fat. Carrots are good in moderation. And yea, scrambled eggs are a wonderful way to give a high protein boost to help both growing and healing.

 

[Lor]

Awesome, maybe this weekend I will try introducing some scrambled eggs as a treat. Thank you!

Mine seem to love it.

 

[kayla43]

I'd probably cut the mealworms entirely out for the time being - they are high in fat. Carrots are good in moderation. And yea, scrambled eggs are a wonderful way to give a high protein boost to help both growing and healing.

Good to know, will do. Thanks!

 

[3KillerBs]

What breed is it? Some breeds have a slow-feathering gene (which can be sex-linked in a complicated way that I don't really understand).

My Black Langshan boys looked like that at that age -- half naked from outgrowing their down before the feathers came in.