"Sickly" has strange skin irritation, loss of feathers

[JulieZ]

"Sickly" is a Light Braham, 11 days old and was given to me by the feed & seed store because they didn't think he was going to make it.

He eats, drinks, is active, no other chicks pick on him but he pecks on himself and he looks mighty small compared to the other same aged chicks. Brooder temperatures are give a degree or two within the proper range. He runs with the other birds & seems rather dominant.

When we first got him, his skin was extremely red, feathers missing on the back of his neck & stomach. I checked for mites & lice, nothing. He looked trampled from his 2 day ride and again, is so small.

Well ... now "Sickly's" skin is clearing up but his feathers are extremely brittle; like I sprayed hair spray on him. He is steadily pecking at himself but never do I see him pull out feathers.

Can anyone tell what this could be from the photographs & if so, what can I do to help him? And is it normal for "Sickly" to be so small?

I hope I added the photo's right,
Julie

 

[purpletree23]

If he were mine I would give him a very gentle bath with a drop of baby shampoo. Dry him well and keep warm. It sounds impossible (nothing is impossible) but did he get some sort of substance on him at the hatchery?

 

[chookchick]

I would also get some poly-vi-sol drops (w/o iron) and give him 1 drop (diluted by half) twice a day for a few days, in case he has some kind of deficiency that has caused this. You could also hand feed him some cooked egg yolk. Sounds like he is doing well at eating, and not getting run over by the rest? Please keep us posted on his progress, he is such a cutie.

 

[JulieZ]

Thank you both.

Tomorrow I will buy that iron & baby shampoo. I know this little guy is not going to like that bath because he does not like to be handled but I chalk that up to his skin issue. I'll try that cooked egg yolk too.

I suppose it's possible something could have gotten on him at the hatchery. If so, the other chicks are very lucky nothing rubbed onto them but that trompling was pretty bad. I was there when they arrived at the feed. The lady that worked there was scared to touch the chicks so I ended up volunteering 2.5 hours of my time. From opening the box to inspecting them ... I saw first hand what that little guy was under ... 24 other braham's feet.

I'll surely keep you updated. Thanks again for the responses.
Julie

 

[lovetocook]

Julie, that's Poly-vi-sol without iron. He is so adorable, hope he turns out okay. Best wishes!!

 

[purpletree23]

He is cute as a button!! Keep us posted.

 

[JulieZ]

UPDATE:
"Sickly" has been given a more proper name of GONZO.

Gonzo is still eating, running and having a good old time. The temps in the brooder will soon go to 85 but with his lack of feathers, I will have to concider isolating him. I think he needs to stay at 90 until something is figured out.

I have given Gonzo 2 baths with baby shampoo. His feathers are no better but his skin is okay. The feathers appear to be dying. They are like "hitch hikers" that you gather when you walk through tall grass. Very stiff but with a few strands of soft feathers coming out of the end. It's so odd. I am concidering taking Gonzo to the local vet that tends to farm animals. Has anyone ever heard of this on a chick before?

I just found the vitamins as of last night without the iron. I'm thinking about putting it in the water for all the birds "just because" for a day or two. Gonzo will get extra care.

Need help,
Julie

 

[chookchick]

Thanks for the update! Is it possible that he could have his own little "hot corner" with a small extra bulb in case he needs it? I hate to think of him not being with his buddies. Maybe when his next batch of feathers comes in, they will be okay.

 

[shazzam2k8]

This has happened to one of my chicks as well. It was fine last night but then I looked at it this morning and it's hair looks like porcupine spikes. Has your chick gotten better?

 

[JulieZ]

Oh my yes! He is amazing. This is the updated thread with his new photographs. In just 4 days, he is even bigger. I did learn the "hitch hikers" was his fur trying to come in BUT I do believe the 2 baths I did by recommendation did him a world of good. Especially when he fell asleep in my hands while doing it. That told me something was hurting him. Then I wrapped him in a towel & held him for the next two hours. Now, he can't stand me. LOL

How old is your baby? Is there a way to give him a bath if his skin is irritated? Not sure if it's the same situation but when we burn, luke-warm water soothes us. Keep me posted, k? Have any photos?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=300070&p=2