Silkie Rooster With Sheaths Covering Entire Body

[LauraCroft]

(Edit) Did I post this thread in the wrong section?Hi, I am new here. I have a silkie rooster (about 8 months old). His entire body is covered in those sheaths. Some of them look so big, especially on his feet. They are EVERYWHERE on him and I can’t imagine it’s comfortable at all. Some of the feathers in the sheaths are not coming out at all, so the sheath is completely intact and about an inch long. I am new with chickens and I am doing research and I am having trouble even knowing how to ask the right questions and what anything is called. So I THINK these are sheaths (pictured). I don’t see mites, he is in great health. I do see him preening himself. I read somewhere that I can give him a salt bath and use a toothbrush to gently brush his feathers in the downward direction only to help assist. So in the picture, he just got out of his bath and my daughter (who our rooster absolutely loves) is holding him wrapped in a towel. You can see the sheaths on his head and neck. Does anyone have advice on what to do, and this is even a real problem? Is this normal for silkies? Thank you.

 

[skeeeter]

He is moulting. It's totally normal and some birds moult slowly whereas others moult all at once.
You don't need to do anything and it's best not to, anyway.
Birds during this stage are uncomfortable, moody and skittish.
Those sheaths protect the new feathers, if you remove them before their time, you could cause weak, brittle, lacklustre feathers. Also, you could make him bleed.
giving higher protein treats during molt is good for feather growth and beautiful feathers.

 

[LauraCroft]

Thank you Skeeter! This is a big relief. I will let nature do its job.

 

[Roosterfeather]

(Edit) Did I post this thread in the wrong section?Hi, I am new here. I have a silkie rooster (about 8 months old). His entire body is covered in those sheaths. Some of them look so big, especially on his feet. They are EVERYWHERE on him and I can’t imagine it’s comfortable at all. Some of the feathers in the sheaths are not coming out at all, so the sheath is completely intact and about an inch long. I am new with chickens and I am doing research and I am having trouble even knowing how to ask the right questions and what anything is called. So I THINK these are sheaths (pictured). I don’t see mites, he is in great health. I do see him preening himself. I read somewhere that I can give him a salt bath and use a toothbrush to gently brush his feathers in the downward direction only to help assist. So in the picture, he just got out of his bath and my daughter (who our rooster absolutely loves) is holding him wrapped in a towel. You can see the sheaths on his head and neck. Does anyone have advice on what to do, and this is even a real problem? Is this normal for silkies? Thank you.View attachment 3910900

This looks normal. I’ve Had chickens like before. It looks like he is getting his new feathers in! And also what skeeeter said is very true!