Feather picking?

[3KillerBs]

We’re in Spokane, WA!
We have 12-22 week old hens.
I have checked for external parasites multiple times and never find anything. Which is good!

I am beginning to think it’s juvenile molting. I’ve been watching them more closing and am not really seeing any behavior causing it.

Thank you!!

OK.

They are not hens, they're pullets. They'll be hens when they turn a year old or, at least, are laying full-sized eggs rather than the small eggs that pullets start with.

The older ones should be done with all their juvenile molts, but the younger ones are definitely of the age to be replacing feathers as they grow so rapidly (my grow-out area often looks like bomb went off in a pillow factory).

Photos?

Just because we LOVE chicken photos around here.

 

[aart]

We’re in Spokane, WA!

Welcome to BYC! @Shamiira
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[Geena]

Protein in their feed is 17%.

Is that layer feed? You might want to keep them on chick starter or switch them over to an all flock feed at least until they begin to lay. 17% really isn't enough protein for growing pullets.

 

[Shamiira]

Is that layer feed? You might want to keep them on chick starter or switch them over to an all flock feed at least until they begin to lay. 17% really isn't enough protein for growing pullets.

It’s actually grower feed. They still need more protein than that? Oh gosh. Ok! I do feed a good amount of meal worms / black soldier fly larvae they honestly don’t eat a lot of their food. They mostly forage the yard.

 

[Shamiira]

Welcome to BYC! @Shamiira
Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 3545503

Ooooh! Thank you!

 

[Shamiira]

OK.

They are not hens, they're pullets. They'll be hens when they turn a year old or, at least, are laying full-sized eggs rather than the small eggs that pullets start with.

The older ones should be done with all their juvenile molts, but the younger ones are definitely of the age to be replacing feathers as they grow so rapidly (my grow-out area often looks like bomb went off in a pillow factory).

Photos?

Just because we LOVE chicken photos around here.

Oh! I will keep that in mind between pullets and hens! Thank you!

 

[nuthatched]

It’s actually grower feed. They still need more protein than that? Oh gosh. Ok! I do feed a good amount of meal worms / black soldier fly larvae they honestly don’t eat a lot of their food. They mostly forage the yard.

Larvae are treats, they're like cheetos, high in fat.
Find a grower that's atleast 18% and cut way back on the treats. :] and possibly minimize yard time.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Flock Raiser is 20% protein and you can feed from start to finish ... Add separate dish of Oyster Shells & grit for them (free feed).

 

[Shamiira]

Flock Raiser is 20% protein and you can feed from start to finish ... Add separate dish of Oyster Shells & grit for them (free feed).

Thank you!!

 

[rosemarythyme]

It’s actually grower feed. They still need more protein than that? Oh gosh. Ok! I do feed a good amount of meal worms / black soldier fly larvae they honestly don’t eat a lot of their food. They mostly forage the yard.

I'm actually fine with 17%, I don't particularly need my birds to mature quickly or to grow beefier (obviously if that's a concern for you, then by all means increase protein).

The mealworms and larvae are treats, and on the fatty side, so the fact that they're not eating their feed and eating treats instead means you're getting less balanced nutrition into them, which is a bigger concern than switching to a different feed for 1% protein. The foraging is fine, but they really need to eat their feed the rest of the time.