Odd feather condition

[TimG]

Hi,

I've posted about this with pictures in the "raising baby chicks" forum, the thread is here, but haven't received much of a response. It's also been mentioned in a couple of threads in this forum, but not titled such that people in the know might not skip over it. So, I thought I would be a bit more direct in hopes of reaching more people who might know the answer.

In short I have two chicks (different breeds) that have abnormal feathers, the feathers are thinner than they should be, the shafts are more visible, and the chicks have bald spots on their necks, behind their wings and on their backs. There are lots of pictures in the other thread, but here is one to give you an idea:

The condition has been present since birth. Other than appearing smaller because their feathers aren't fluffy, they seem healthy.

The two breeds involved are Welsumer and Partridge Chantecler. They came from different breeders (in different states). And, only 1 of 9 Welsumers and 1 of 6 Chanteclers display this condition.

Tim

 

[robbdebbie]

I don't know much about chickens yet, but do any of your other breeds have this? You said that they came from two breeders, maybe it is something in their environment like an allergy or rash???? Hopefully someone more knowledgable will come on here and help you out.

 

[TimG]

This is the first time I have encountered this condition. Only two out of 15 chicks display this condition.

They had this condition when they hatched -- at first it appeared that their feathers were wet like any other hatched chick, but even after drying they never fluffed up.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Just as a side note, most rooster chicks are slower to feather than pullets.

 

[TimG]

Quote:
I have nine Welsumer chicks, eight cockerels and one pullet...the pullet is the only one with this condition.

 

[aveca]

They dont have any turken mixed in do they? what breed are they? I thought you said welsummer
It might be worth a search in net and a possible vet visit. Could be feather pecking dietary? boredom? stress? you know your situation better than we do, certain vitamins missing ? grass and a wee bit of sunflowerseed help .

This is from the Oxford e-books on genetics if it isnt boredom, some people use a string device that occupies the birds and feathers improve. Let us knowhow this turns out. some strange genetics can crop up, but most often it is as mentioned above. keep them occupied with something to do like a chcicken tractor around the yard with partial tarp for shadeect...

THE INHERITANCE OF "STRINGY," AN ABNORMAL FEATHER CONDITION: In White Leghorn Chickens
BUSS et al. J Hered.1950; 41: 143-144

 

[aveca]

Here is a link to genetics and strange feather conditions, and I would also possibly suspect the boys might be picking at her, boys will be boys. It seriously is worth a net search to see if anyone else has this cropping up if you can rule out everything else.

You would be suprised at how nervousness can cause strange conditions called neuro dematitis. You if you dont alread move her in with fewer guys and little bigger space perhaps, dont know your set up

http://books.google.com/books?id=VM...esult&ct=result&resnum=8#v=onepage&q=&f=false

 

[TimG]

Quote:
One is a Welsumer, one is a Partridge Chantecler.

They have had this condition since hatch, so I don't think it is environmental, dietary or boredom, etc. I suppose it could have had to do with the environment in the incubator, but only two of fifteen chicks hatched together display this condition.

I will look into the "stringy" gene. It looks similar to the condition of these chicks. I imagine it is kind of rare (or someone would have mentioned it before now) which would make it odd to have cropped up in different breeds from different breeders in different states.

 

[aveca]

I think this is very intereasting . genetics and stress rule out everything else and neurodermatitis ect... Please let me know how they develope with pics. I think its important amd worth exploring. Glad you brought this up. I have several vet freinds and when I talk to them i will ask. One is an old timer who really knows chcickens.

 

[aveca]

The one thing that makes me suspicious is 2 different breeds with same condition, have to wonder if something in the environment

Also and this is interesting also, I posted it earlier but it was in a post somewhere should have out it up top, But those plastic water feeders we all use?

Well one of the animal science centers Think it was cornell U. did an experiment , they used the old tin waterers and feeders with one control group plastic heated up in another and straight bistranol or whatever the compound is used in the plastic in the last groups feeding , the tin birds roosters combs developed normally, the second control group a minimal but noticable reduction of the comb but wasnt severe, and the last group had severe changes in comb and overall male development. It probably doesnt have anything to do with your birds but it did sort of make me think, shortly after that they pulled these same plastic bottles off the market for human use.