[pikilily]

i have six chicks hatched by mother about five weeks ago. Three are fully feathered now and are growning well. the other three still have a lot of their chick fluff, baldy areas, and only a few feathers and are a lot smaller. .........Why??

i have now (3 days ago) seperated them from mum and siblings to allow them free access to feed etc...just in case it was that they were not getting enough feed. It may be my imagination but feathers are possibly growing..good cos they were really looking like little dinasours, LOL

Emma T xx

[aaronsundin]

I had exactly the same situation with 4 chocolate orpingtons . 2 feathered up nicely but the other two looked almost oven ready ! Someone on this forum did mention that cockerels in some breeds are slower to feather up  than hens - unfortunately my 2 bald ones were cockerels  , started fighting and had to be dispatched. Not much help I'm afraid but I don't think there's anything to worry about.

[pikilily]

Yup thats a good description- oven ready!! 
ET x