Feathers everywhere

[rogerf]

I have two questions:
I have 10 RR and they are about 15weeks old.
There are feathers everywhere in the coop and run. At first I thought there might be some bullying going on but after watching for a couple days that is not the case. Could they be moulting already?

Also, at what age will they start laying. Should I be expecting eggs soon or in a month or so?

Thanks for looking and any help.

 

[fshinggrl]

My chicks were born mid April so they're at about the same age as yours and you are right... there are a lot of loose feathers here too! I have joked that I could make a feather pillow from them!!!

 

[rogerf]

So at least I'm not the only one.....
My guess is that they are molting or at least some of them.
Now I just gotta figure out when they'll start laying.

 

[cmom]

Most of my birds started laying around 20 to 24 weeks. Also some of my birds went through mini molts. I didn't see a lot of feather loss on any one bird but there were sure a lot of feathers in the coop, so I think several birds were going through mini molts.

 

[Judy]

It's a normal part of growing their adult feathers.

 

[codybird]

My six 16 week olds are healthy and no picking or pecking and have lost enough feathers to make two more chickens.

It's just what they do apparently.

 

[cposz]

LOTS of feathers in our coop and run, too - from the 15 week old BOs. We just figured the adult feathers are coming in now as they are probably too young for their first moult.

 

[raspeary]

I wouldn't worry My coop looks the same. mostly red feathers from my rhode islands couple of occasional buff feathers from my buff orps. I wouldn't be too concerned as long as there are no blood spots on your chickens.