13 wk old chickens and LOTS of feathers in the coop ?????

[DanLeaAnn7]

Hi, my 22 chickens (black and red sex links, Barred Plymouth Rock and Easter Egger's) are all 13 weeks old and I have noticed there are a lot of big feathers in the coop the last several days, seems like more and more each day. It has been cold here, so they haven't wanted to go outside much, if at all. I have been checking on them several times a day and haven't seen anybody picking on anyone. The feathers are red and black so I am thinking they are coming from more than one chicken, (I have spent a decent amount of time looking them over, looking for bare spots but I don't see any)(I am a new to raising chickens) Are they molting, it doesn't seem right - it is cold out ! - Is this normal ?? I have been feeding them the Purina crumbles for chicks - the one you feed until they lay. I give them oatmeal every now and then also I have been growing sprouts (lentils mostly) every now and then too - should I give them cat food ?? thanks in advance !

 

[Baymen Moe]

That's normal feather loss in "teen chickens". The feather's will be replaced by adult feather's.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Agreed

And

 

[DanLeaAnn7]

Thank you - i was worrying ! Glad it is just normal - thanks much !