Chicks not feathering at 8 weeks old

[felys]

STOP adding the corn and the sunflower seed. Just STOP.

This is a study (on turkey, but the same processes are involved in chickens, and the same amino acids) re: dietary requirements for feather growth. METHIONINE. Absolutely critical.

Corn is low total protein, and not high in Methionine as a % of that protein.

Sunflower is high protein, VERY high fat (not good), but very low Methionine as a % of total protein. Sesame seed is somewhat better, though also high fat.

Do you have access to low cost fish or crab meal - or the dried tiny shrimp often used as a seasoning??? any of those would be far better feed suppliments (assuming no added salt) than what you are offering. Or fish scraps (from the collar/cheek/etc) of any type ? Cooked is fine.

Here in the US, synthetic methionine is added to the feed to bring its levels up, its that important to early chicken development, and affects them the rest of their lives.

Also, check for mites.

Thanks for the information. I'll work on getting them the needed nutrients

 

[Lor]

Thanks for the information. I'll work on getting them the needed nutrients

How are the chicks doing? Any feathering happening?

 

[felys]

How are the chicks doing? Any feathering happening?

They are looking better (but not pretty yet) . I'll get some photos up soon.

Tail feathers are mostly out, and others are slowly forming. They are also forming their combs now. Now they have little feathers coming up through fluff.

The change of food definitely helped.

I've been giving them scrambled eggs in addition to their new feed.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

They are looking better (but not pretty yet) . I'll get some photos up soon.

Tail feathers are mostly out, and others are slowly forming. They are also forming their combs now. Now they have little feathers coming up through fluff.

The change of food definitely helped.

I've been giving them scrambled eggs in addition to their new feed.

Scrambled eggs are a good choice. We did the math.

 

[Lor]

They are looking better (but not pretty yet) . I'll get some photos up soon.

Tail feathers are mostly out, and others are slowly forming. They are also forming their combs now. Now they have little feathers coming up through fluff.

The change of food definitely helped.

I've been giving them scrambled eggs in addition to their new feed.

Good to hear!
Looking forward to seeing them.

 

[felys]

Good to hear!
Looking forward to seeing them.

They don't look good yet (but I think they are getting there)... First photo is Pluto, she's in a separate cage because she injured one of her nails and the rest are pecking at it.

They look pretty bad, but really, they are starting to feather (2nd photo is Goldie cos she was all yellow at hatch, her neck feathers are coming in).

3rd photo is her younger sibling, Butter (hatched later) - about 4 weeks old and looking like she's going though the normal feathering process.

4th is mama chicken. She came into the house and laid an egg on our shelf . She was a pretty ratty looking pullet so maybe it's in their genes.

 

[Lor]

They don't look good yet (but I think they are getting there)... First photo is Pluto, she's in a separate cage because she injured one of her nails and the rest are pecking at it.

They look pretty bad, but really, they are starting to feather (2nd photo is Goldie cos she was all yellow at hatch, her neck feathers are coming in).

3rd photo is her younger sibling, Butter (hatched later) - about 4 weeks old and looking like she's going though the normal feathering process.

4th is mama chicken. She came into the house and laid an egg on our shelf . She was a pretty ratty looking pullet so maybe it's in their genes.

Thanks for the update!
yay for feathering!

 

[felys]

Just an update. They are all fully feathered and have moved outdoors .

Missing them inside the house. But they are definitely much happier outside. And they have grown so much!

They are rushing for food in this photo. They just love to crowd together even though there are other food bowls available.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Glad you found success, and that they are looking much better

 

[Lor]

Just an update. They are all fully feathered and have moved outdoors .

Missing them inside the house. But they are definitely much happier outside. And they have grown so much!

They are rushing for food in this photo. They just love to crowd together even though there are other food bowls available.

Not too many say they miss the chicks being inside. They're usually happy when they finally go out.

Glad to hear how well they're doing!