Two Week Old Chicks and patchy feathers/eyes that look a bit crusty?

[izzabee2]

Hi there!

We are first-time chicken owners and have five, two-week-old chicks (Buff Orpington, Welsummer, Blue Ameraucana, Splash Ameraucana, Golden Laced Wyandotte). Two of them seem to have a crusty eye with feathers around it that look a bit matted, the eyes are pretty open and look otherwise clear. We have been holding a warm wet cloth to the eyes a few times a day. Anything else we should look for or treat?

All of them appear to be losing some feathers and are looking pretty scraggly. I ASSUME this is normal as they are getting their feathers and losing the down but I am a bit nervous nonetheless.

Despite the eyes and the poorly-looking feathers they are active, eating and drinking well, and seem generally pretty happy!

 

[JaeG]

What bedding are you using in the brooder? Perhaps that's causing some irritation if it is too dusty?

As long as they are just losing down then I wouldn't worry. They'll look quite scruffy between now and a month old when they'll be reasonably well feathered. As they grow they do a juvenile molt too so don't worry if they seem to be losing some feathers over time as they grow.