Why are my chicks going bald????

[SilkiesForEver]

My broody Silkies hatched 4 mixed breed flock chicks about 1 month or so ago. Three of them are going bald like a turken! Their feathers are gone from the underside of their beak all the way down their underside to their vent! They hatched with all their feathers. Our friend I got the eggs from, raises chickens purely for eggs and has NO naked necks in his flock.
They seem to be a little under the weather, and stand hunched.
They are very hardy, and have shown no health problems until now.
Only 1 chick looks fine and doesn't seem to have anything wrong with him/her.

I'm going to start treating them with coconut oil/milk, oregano oil, liquid garlic, and kefir.

Please, if you have any idea what could be wrong with them, Let Me Know!

Thanks.

 

[Mac14]

Hmmm. The only thing I can think of is if they are molting, but that basically only happens with chickens over 9 months. Hope someone can help you better.

 

[SilkiesForEver]

Yeah, they are only 4 weeks old. Do they are definitely not molting. Also, the skin where the feathers are missing doesn't seem "irritated". Like another chick is picking them.

 

[sumi]

Some of my chicks went bald, most noticeably on their heads and it turned out they had mites. Have you dusted your chicks for mites? If not I'd suggest you do it a.s.a.p. Mites, fleas and lice can kill young chicks.

 

[SilkiesForEver]

Yes, I've dusted more than once this month. I'm going to do it one more time, just to be on the safe side.

 

[SilkiesForEver]

Can anyone help? Please?

 

[Suzie]

Lice/Mite eggs will hatch within 7 - 10 days of the first treatment that kills off the parents, have you treated the coop and the chickens within 7-10 days of the first treatment? This MAY be the problem.

Good luck

Suzie

 

[SilkiesForEver]

I have treated them and the coop three times this month for external parasites. And today, I noticed they're growing their feathers back! Ugh! They have me so confused!