Young Chicks getting "nappy" looking feathers

[gailaferguson]

I am brand new at raising chickens so now that my chicks are 3 1/2 weeks old I'm not sure if they're feathers are coming in the way they're supposed to. They are loosing that fluffy baby down look and their feathers are looking rather nappy. They don't seem sick. Does this sound normal to any of you?

 

[swirler]

I love them at 3-4 weeks - they look hilariously awkward and mangy.

 

[Weasleymum]

It's normal for them to look really awkward and funny at this age! Feathers with down still stuck on the ends and everywhere... Not sure 'nappy' is a good term for it, though.

 

[hthompson]

Mangy creatures. That is what MY 3 week old girls are. GOD They are ugly! <3

 

[PEONEAL]

I agree! I just got on here to research this very thing. I think mangy describes it well. I was trying to figure out what word fit and mangy does. Glad to hear that this is normal!! Thanks

 

[allieszoo]

Yup!! Mine looked horrid at that age! Have fluff, half feathers and just look like that have some sort of illness. Ugly and cute and gross all at once.

Luckily, they grow out of it really quick : )

 

[gailaferguson]

Thanks everyone for sharing your experience with this too. Gives me a little peace to know I'm not doing something terribly wrong! Y'all are right............. they look crazy ugly but still cute too! Thanks again