(Pics) Odd looking feathers on chick - is this normal?

[Sarrealist]

Hello everyone.

(Background info)
I have a 3 week old leghorn chick that was a runt and had difficult time getting out of his(or her, not sure really) shell due to some damage causing part of the membrane to dry out on it. He came out not being able to walk and had no interest in eating and the mother hen that was incubating the other 6 eggs that hatched didnt seem to recognize him as her own, as she had already left the nest. So I took him out of the barn, made a place for him inside, gave him some vitamins, hand fed and watered him, gave him a leg brace for support, taught him how to eat on his own, got him a friend to keep him company, and now 3 weeks on he is growing steadily and is quite energetic. A true miracle.

(Issue)
Anyways, the issue I'm posting about. His feather growth looks a bit odd. Kinda thin, scraggly, and separated. I was wondering if anyone has ever seen this before and what could be the issue. Could it be that his feathers aren't growing properly because he is a runt? If so what can I do to help ensure he continues to thrive?

Thanks in advance.

Pics:

 

[Sarrealist]

This is what my other 3 week old birds look like in comparison. Quite smooth and normal feathers compared to my runt bird.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Aside from the possibility of parasites like mites or lice.. my next best guess would be bad genetics hence the difficulty hatching. In the wild that chick would have died but you nursed it back to health. It will be awesome if it thrives but I would make sure to avoid breeding it forward and hope that other things don't continually pop up. Worms, parasites, and illness will attack the weakest first, possibly making them a vector for disease in your flock. That's the breeder in me talking.

But awesome job, helping it recover! You did great. I know it wasn't easy.

 

[FrankHomestead]

He looks totally fine to me...but I agree with the above person, I'd be careful with him around the other flock. they will attack and kill one they see as weak. chickens live by the code "your flock is as strong as your weakest member" as well do other packs & communities.
also I agree to not breed.

 

[Sarrealist]

Thank you both so much for your input! I will try a diatomaceous earth dust bath regularly and see if things improve.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I personally think DE is more harmful than beneficial and also don't truly believe bugs is your issue.

 

[theuglychick]

His feathers look similar to my whiting true blues. They're feathers are a mess, easily broken and very fragile. I think sometimes that feather type just crops up. Hoping the best for y'all!

 

[lazy gardener]

I personally think DE is more harmful than beneficial and also don't truly believe bugs is your issue.

Agree with this: DE more harmful to respiration than any possible benefit received for parasite control. IMO, the only viable benefit for DE is as an additive to keep weevils and such out of the feed. Even then, keeping your food supply fresh is far more important.

 

[Sarrealist]

His feathers look similar to my whiting true blues. They're feathers are a mess, easily broken and very fragile. I think sometimes that feather type just crops up. Hoping the best for y'all!

Thats interesting to hear. I'll just have to watch him and see if there's any real issue or if he just looks a bit scraggly right now.

Agree with this: DE more harmful to respiration than any possible benefit received for parasite control. IMO, the only viable benefit for DE is as an additive to keep weevils and such out of the feed. Even then, keeping your food supply fresh is far more important.

Thanks to both of you. I'll do some more research on it I suppose. And as for now just keep a close eye on the chick and hope for the best.
I don't do breeding and don't plan to so I don't think that will be much of a problem. But I will have to make sure his health stays up to par so other birds don't suffer.
Thanks again!