Ugly lavender chicks! What's wrong?

[jwyles]

That's the general amount of protein in a starter grower. You can find something with more, but that should be fine, especially if you sneak a bit of egg in their diet.

Thank you!

 

[jwyles]

I see a ton of new feathers coming in.
Do they dust bathe? I would think since your other birds don't have an issue that mites or lice are not likely.
If they were on to low of protein before you got them it could take a really long time to recover.

Thank you. I'm hoping for a beautiful bird one day!

 

[jwyles]

I agree with @oldhenlikesdogs . Your birds look fine. I don't see any disease at all. I raise several varieties of Orpingtons as well as FBCM, and sometimes chicks can look wretched when they lose their down and before all their sets of feathers come in. Also, sometimes there is late feathering with the black gene (lav is a recessive black gene). Since feathers are basically protein, increase your chicks consumption of protein, and that may help. The suggestion of scrambled eggs is a good one. Mealworms and cat-food kibble are other easy sources of protein that chicks love.

I have had birds that have looked just as bad as yours and turned out to be stunning, so I suggest that you be patient. Best of luck.

Thank you! Y'all BYC has been a life saver! I'm a very well researched- lol- new chicken owner. I did my best to prepare myself for this journey but I find myself with 100 new questions a day. This really helps a lot and this info makes me feel so much better! I'm super hopeful right now! Thanks!

 

[jwyles]

Also- anyone care to take a stab at gender for this one? Or is it just way way too early to tell?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

With a comb that pink already I would think rooster, which can sometimes feather out more slowly too.

 

[jwyles]

With a comb that pink already I would think rooster, which can sometimes feather out more slowly too.

I had the same feeling. I'm going to try my hand at the no crow collar then bc this is my backyard flock and my kids and I aren't letting anyone go without a fight! thanks

 

[jwyles]

Some of you that replied really seem to understand the lavender/black/blue/splash genes.... so would you mind telling me if my EE pullet possesses the splash gene? See how she's got some blue across the top of her head and some blue-ish patches mixed in with her light smokey white feathers? Her chest however is gold laced.

 

[brucifer]

Also- anyone care to take a stab at gender for this one? Or is it just way way too early to tell?

It's hard to say with Orpingtons without comparing the chicks to others in their respective broods. For example, I raise a line of Chocolate Orpintons that have relatively diminished wattle and comb sizes compared to other varieties Orpingtons I raise. Compare the sizes of the legs and feet at this stage. The boys will have thicker legs than the girls. However, if I HAD to make a guess at this point based upon your photos, I would agree that your chick is probably a cockerel based upon the comb.

Also, your EE does look like a splash.

 

[jwyles]

It's hard to say with Orpingtons without comparing the chicks to others in their respective broods. For example, I raise a line of Chocolate Orpintons that have relatively diminished wattle and comb sizes compared to other varieties Orpingtons I raise. Compare the sizes of the legs and feet at this stage. The boys will have thicker legs than the girls. However, if I HAD to make a guess at this point based upon your photos, I would agree that your chick is probably a cockerel based upon the comb.

Also, your EE does look like a splash.

He's an Ameraucana

 

[jwyles]

I just realized his pea comb isn't that obvious in the pic bc it's from the side but he does have a pea comb and very dark slate legs.