6 week old losing her feathers, why?

Brunette81 · New Member Joined: Apr 17, 2015 Posts: 1

Hello
im currently hand rearing 3 chicks on Kaytee formula.
the youngest is 6 weeks old and seems a bit further behind.
the other two are fine and starting to jump around, try fly etc.

all 3 are pecking at millet and egg food.

her wings were looking a bit shabby like her feathers wernt growing in the right direction, now about 10 ish feathers have come out when they haven't even finished growing.
ive separated her from the other two but have no idea why this is happening.

any ideas?

Steptoe · Site Admin Joined: Oct 06, 2004 Posts: 4550

With chicks still in the nest its very hard to say why, espec when there is only one that may have issues
In saying that, in our experience and sure also in nature, not every chick is a strong healthy bird.. no matter what one does... Weak birds happen, and in nature these dont survive long, be it in the nest or once fledged outside.
Basically 'faulty birds, and their genes get eliminated from gene pools, ensuring the survival of the species.
The trouble is far too often in captive breeding there is expectation every chick has to be strong or has to survive...and the result of this is captive animal species that have inherent health problems... usually because a defective animal also happens to have the trait that the breeder is looking for.. keeps the animal and 'inadvertently' breeds a defect of say poor hind legs or hips or weak hearts into the future blood lines
And money returns, also play a big factor in breeding animals that would , in nature , not survived.

So do not fret or be overly concerned that u have done something wrong....
Generally if the bird survives the nest, they tend to leave the nest a good week later than the rest, often may appear fine for a while, then one day just become lethargic and pass on.
It is good practice, even if they do survive, never to breed from them.. but not go practice to sell on as pets either....very often within the next few month to yrs the bird will have further issues, from over suspitable to mites to breaking a leg or even excessive aggression.

May sound a little harsh, but when one gets to having breed a 1000 or so bids.. or even well before, and also has a genuine concern for their breeding stock and quality of bird they sell / pass on.....taking a big breath and doing what nature does, at some point in time, humainly is overall the best option for all.
At this point I do suggest continue to work thru and just keep the above on the back of your mind, and learn from the experience.. but never let an animal suffer