feeding show birds

[chickenfarmer16]

I have a few birds(Pullets hatched this January) that are going to be shown at a fair this summer. For some reason I am having a hard time geting them growing and feathering out well. They are from a purebred breeder so I guess I figured they would be growing better than they are currently. They are on a 18% commercial layer feed. They don't seem to want to eat a lot but I know the feed is not the problem since I feed it to my other chickens as well. Does anyone have any tips for how to get them to eat more and hopefully grow a little faster?...I've heard a number of tricks but just don't know what to do. obviously the goal is to have them big enough and have good plumage for the fair. Thanks

 

[1muttsfan]

What breed are they? Some breeds just take longer to fill out completely. I would get them on a gamebird feed with free choice calcium to encourage better feather development and growth.

 

[chickenfarmer16]

They are silver laced Wyandotte's. I will try some higher protein feed