Young chickens with sparse feathers

[NHAlison]

My husband brought home 2 chicks a few weeks ago, to add to our "flock". I apologize. I do not know the breed. My dear hubby didn't retain that info after he bought them from the feed store. They were supposed to be a speckled variety, but are looking like they will be white. What concerns me are 2 things: They plop down a lot, as if they just can't stand anymore and they have no feathers on their sides and the sides of their behinds. Only their heads, necks, chests, wings, and tails It's very odd, but we are brand new at raising chickens, so if this is normal please let us know. If not, are there any suggestions of what to do? I will try to send a long a picture in a few. Thank you! Alison

 

[TheRambler]

How old are they?

 

[NHAlison]

They are about 6 weeks old. They've been like this since they lost their "fluff" and started growing regular feathers. I have not noticed and feather picking or any of the other birds picking on them. They eat and drink normally.

 

[evemfoster]

They look normal for 6 week old chicks. They will feather in more as they get older.

 

[NHAlison]

Oh that is a relief. I have RIRs and production reds that are the same age, but they aren't nearly as large, but they are fully feathered. So, does it depend on the breed? Also, can you tell what breed this is? We honestly don't know.

Thank you!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I hate to say it but it looks like you got some Cornish Cross chicks. They grow extremely fast and often don’t feather out as well as other chicks. Their body grows so fast the feather growth can’t keep up.

I’m afraid those are meat birds and not a good addition to your flock. I feel real bad telling you this.

 

[NHAlison]

Oh my....

 

[junebuggena]

I hate to say it but it looks like you got some Cornish Cross chicks. They grow extremely fast and often don’t feather out as well as other chicks. Their body grows so fast the feather growth can’t keep up.

I’m afraid those are meat birds and not a good addition to your flock. I feel real bad telling you this.

x2 Those are Cornish cross. They are bred to have sparse feathering for easier plucking. And they look like cockerels with those pink combs.

 

[NHAlison]

Can meat birds just live with a flock of layers and be free-loaders?

 

[junebuggena]

The pullets can be decent layers of very large brown eggs, but if you want one to live for more than a few months you need to restrict their diet and encourage them to be active. They don't usually live for more than a year or two under the best of circumstance. It doesn't really matter though, because your chicks already have pink combs at 6 weeks old. Pullets of any breed don't start turning red in the comb until they are almost ready to lay eggs, usually around 14 to 18 weeks old.