Chicks Keep Their Hair: Why Baldness Isn't A Chick Thing

Unlike humans, chickens do not have hair. Instead, they have feathers, which are made of a protein called keratin. These feathers are hollow, making them lighter and helping with insulation. Chickens also have a thin layer of downy feathers, which are softer and smaller than regular feathers, that help keep them warm. While chickens do not lose their hair, they do lose their feathers through moulting, a natural process where they grow new feathers to replace old ones. This occurs a few times before they reach maturity and then once a year, usually in early autumn.

Chickens have feathers, not hair

Chickens also have feathers on their legs and feet, which protect their legs from injury. These feathers are larger and tougher than regular feathers and are called scutes.

Chicks go through a moulting process, losing their feathers and growing new ones. Their first moult is shortly after they hatch, and they will have two or three moults before they achieve their adult plumage. After this, they will moult once a year, usually in early autumn. Moulting is triggered by a change in daylight hours or temperature.

While it is rare, chickens can develop hair on their heads due to stress, hormones, and genetics. When stressed, chickens produce more cortisol, which can cause hair follicles to grow. Chickens in close quarters are often exposed to high levels of hormones, which can alter hair follicle growth.

Feathers are made of a protein called keratin

Chickens, like all birds, have feathers instead of hair. Feathers are made of a protein called beta-keratin, which is a harder form of keratin than the alpha-keratin that makes up the hair, nails, claws, and hairs of mammals. The beta-keratin that makes up feathers is the thickest keratin ever recorded, with a 6-micrometre diameter that's ten times greater than its closest rivals. This gives feathers their strength and durability.

The microscopic structure of feathers is complex. Each feather has a central shaft called the rachis, with two vanes on either side. The vanes are composed of barbs that branch off the rachis, and even thinner barbules branch off from the barbs. These barbules are held together by small hooks that give the feather its shape. The keratin fibres are lined with small lumps or nodes that stick up from the main axis at regular intervals, and each node is capped with hooks or a ring. These nodes act like the bricks of a wall, preventing cracks from spreading and resisting forces that would fracture the rachis.

The complex structure of feathers gives them their unique combination of traits, making them lightweight yet tough, flexible, and strong. Feathers are also waterproof and breathable, providing thermal isolation and rigidity. This combination of characteristics is essential for birds' survival, as feathers give birds their wings to fly and help them retain body heat, enabling them to live an active, endothermic lifestyle.

Chicks, like adult chickens, have feathers that are vulnerable to loss due to various factors. One common cause of feather loss in chicks is overcrowding, which can lead to feathers being rubbed off or broken. Additionally, bright lights left on constantly can irritate chicks, making them more likely to pick at their own feathers or each other's. Chicks may also accidentally pull out their own feathers while grooming. As chicks grow, they go through moulting, a natural process where feathers are replaced, which can also result in temporary bald patches.

Chicks lose feathers due to rubbing or picking

Unlike humans, chicks do lose their baby feathers, which are delicate and vulnerable while the bird grows a complete set of adult plumage. This process of moulting typically occurs shortly after a chick hatches, and they will have two or three moults before they achieve their adult plumage. After this, they will moult once a year, usually in early autumn, to take out old plumage and prepare for the cold by regrowing new feathers.

However, in addition to moulting, chicks may lose their feathers due to rubbing or picking. Rubbing occurs when chicks are overcrowded and climb on each other, causing their back feathers to be rubbed off by sharp little claws. This may also happen when chicks go through a too-low doorway.

Picking, or feather pecking, can be caused by several factors. Firstly, chicks may accidentally pull out their own pinfeathers while grooming, as these tender feathers contain a supply of blood to nourish their growth. The sight of blood attracts other chicks, leading to further picking. Additionally, overcrowding can cause chicks to become overheated, triggering picking. Overheating can be prevented by regularly reducing the brooding temperature and increasing ventilation. Leaving bright lights on constantly can also make chicks irritable and more likely to pick.

Chicks may also start pecking at each other instead of pecking for sustenance if they do not have enough food or protein in their diet. Brooding on wooden slats or wire mesh can also trigger picking due to a lack of alternative stimulation. To prevent this, it is recommended to provide loose bedding and entertainment, such as bird toys, to relieve boredom and provide normal avian activities.

Moulting causes chickens to lose feathers

Unlike humans, chickens do not have hair, but feathers. These feathers are delicate and vulnerable, and they can easily be broken or rubbed off. Chickens moult to lose their old feathers and grow new ones. This is a natural process that usually happens once a year, generally in early autumn, although it can be dependent on the amount of daylight available. An early moult can be triggered by a sudden change in daylight hours or temperature.

A chicken's first moult occurs shortly after they hatch, and they will have two or three moults before they achieve their adult plumage. Thereafter, they will moult annually. During the moulting process, chickens lose their old feathers, which are replaced by new ones. This process can last anywhere from 3 weeks to 6 months, with an average duration of 7 to 8 weeks.

Moulting can be stressful for chickens, and it may cause them to act differently. They may become less active or less enthusiastic about being handled. Additionally, moulting can affect the pecking order within the flock, with dominant hens losing their position and lower-ranking hens being picked on. Moulting chickens may also experience a decrease or cessation of egg production as their reproductive physiology are allowed to rest.

To support chickens during moulting, it is important to provide them with a balanced diet rich in protein and other essential vitamins to promote feather regrowth. High-protein chicken feed, scrambled eggs, mealworms, and sunflower seeds are some recommended sources of protein. However, caution should be exercised to avoid excessive protein intake, as it can lead to health issues such as diarrhoea and gout.

Feather pecking leads to bald patches

Chickens do not have hair, but feathers. Bald patches in chickens are usually caused by moulting or feather pecking. Moulting is a natural process that occurs shortly after a chicken hatches. Chickens will have two or three moults before they achieve their adult plumage. After this, they will moult once a year, usually in early autumn.

Feather pecking is another common cause of bald patches in chickens. Chickens will always peck at each other a bit as they establish a pecking order or hierarchy within the flock. However, feather pecking can become a problem when it leads to bald patches on the birds and half-eaten feathers around the coop. Pecking often occurs around the hen's vent, back, or head. Overcrowding can also lead to increased feather pecking as chicks end up climbing on each other, and their back feathers get rubbed off by sharp claws. Additionally, bright lights left on constantly can irritate chicks, making them more likely to peck.

If your chicken has wounds and bald patches outside of the moulting season, it could indicate that there is a bully in the flock. This may be another chicken pecking at your chicken or your chicken pulling its own feathers due to discomfort. Heavy lice or mite infestation can also cause chickens to pull out their own feathers.

To prevent feather pecking, it is important to provide enough space for your chickens to reduce overcrowding. Regularly reducing the brooding temperature while increasing ventilation can also help prevent picking as chicks grow. Providing entertainment and toys can also curtail picking by relieving boredom. If pecking occurs, anti-pecking sprays are available to deter chickens from pecking at each other.

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