What’s up with his developing feathers?

[Oldegarlicshnapp]

I got a random batch of serama eggs to hatch, so I’m discovering what these breeds are as they develop. Seeing how his feathers are developing: Does he have Silkie feathers?

Since they’re more sparse than my other experiences with Silkie chicks, I’m wondering if it’s a feather deformity

This is him in comparison to another chick. The other chick was from the smallest egg and came out just as tiny. So I’m a little concerned at how it’s growing so large while this one is staying small.

 

[Oldegarlicshnapp]

Additional photos^

 

[Liz Birdlover]

The one developing bigger & faster may be a rooster, but then looking at faster feathering, may indicate hen. But it's hard to say this early. I got 20 chicks, some seemed very "roosterish" yet all, luckily for me, grew up to be hens.

There are charts talking about feather development & gender...it's still not easy to tell, though, because then the breed may look different. I could've sworn 3 of mine were Roos as they grew faster...nope, just big girls. Time will tell.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

Interesting, let us know how it develops. Silked Seramas are indeed a thing.

 

[Oldegarlicshnapp]

The one developing faster "may" be a rooster. But it's hard to say this early.

The trouble is that they’re all developing faster than he is

 

[Tonyroo]

Seramas can come silked, frizzle, straight feathers. I don't remember how silked feathers come out, I only had a pullet with that.

 

[Oldegarlicshnapp]

I only had a pullet with that.
View attachment 3060034

Do you remember if she came out much smaller than the others? Or if you’ve had seramas that are inherently smaller that your others. My bigger concern is that my guy’s a runt who kinda seems slow to develop

 

[LadiesAndJane]

I got a random batch of serama eggs to hatch, so I’m discovering what these breeds are as they develop. Seeing how his feathers are developing: Does he have Silkie feathers?

View attachment 3060010View attachment 3060012
Since they’re more sparse than my other experiences with Silkie chicks, I’m wondering if it’s a feather deformity

View attachment 3060013
This is him in comparison to another chick. The other chick was from the smallest egg and came out just as tiny. So I’m a little concerned at how it’s growing so large while this one is staying small.

View attachment 3060018View attachment 3060020View attachment 3060021

Yes indeed, this little one has silkied feathers which does occur in Seramas. It is a recessive gene, so can pop up randomly in flocks that carry the gene.
Seramas also come in different sizes (classes), so could explain the size difference in your chicks.

From the internet:

Since the number one defining trait of Seramas is their size, they are placed in different classes based on their size.

• Micro – up to 13 ounces.
• Class A – under 13 ounces.
• Class B – under 16 ounces.
• Class C -under 19 ounces.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Seramas can come silked, frizzle, straight feathers. I don't remember how silked feathers come out, I only had a pullet with that.
View attachment 3060034

Beautiful!

 

[Tonyroo]

I did have 2 runts but they just developed slower and finally grew to there size which was considered micro size.
The gray and one of the barred was the runts.