Yeah I do not know if they would bond more or not. I do know the chickens can learn sound based commands… my daughter’s 4H show bird responded to several vocal commands and had learned on her own to come when we whistled for our dogs recall. She was the first chicken the family had so she bonded...
Bonding makes a huge difference. They all have different personalities and are so fun to interact with.
I’ve had birds with senses of humor, that loved to be the center of attention, protective and the complete opposite aloft like a cat “human serve me” attitude... but all fun. Our first...
A little extra protein won’t hurt the whole flock. Just do like a 50/50 mix for a bit if it is feed + feed. If you add the seeds just mix some in, the girls will pick out what they want.
Hugs your doing great, and glad they are being good about the pin feathers.
I just give mine a bit of game feed or meat grower mixed in with their normal feed. I usually just read some labels and pick one with a bit more protein. A little cat food works too (just a bit) but if you give them too much fish based feed the eggs will taste fishy… chicken egg taste and yolk...
Mine sometimes start loosing a few and then boom feathers everywhere, each bird is a bit different depending on genetics, some molt incredibly slow and will as a result be slower to start laying again, others molt faster… the whole process can take anywhere from 2-6 months depending on the hens...