Feathers look frayed? 8 week old EE.

[elletee89]

I wasn’t sure which forum to post this in. We are new to chickens and learning as we go.

I noticed my EE pullet’s feathers are starting to look all frayed? She is 8 weeks old and on a grower feed, 15% protein.

She is in a coop with two suspected cockerels, but she seems to be the “queen bee”.
They are the only 3 in a coop that’s 10’x8’, their run is 12’x8’, and they free range for a few hours every day.
I don’t see any mites on her - I have looked at night and I did the paper towel test on the bottom of the coop.
The other two birds are not showing any signs of this issue.
Any thoughts from the experts?

 

[CCsGarden]

All I can tell is she isn't getting enough protein, nutrients or vitamins. Give some yogurt with vitamins B complex and E to help.
Do you see the other picking at her?

Here is what I use

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

She needs a higher protein feed to grow feathers. At that age she should be on something closer to 18% at least.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Is that a typo? Grower is usually 18%. Are you sure it’s only 15? That’s lower even than layer feed.

 

[elletee89]

Is that a typo? Grower is usually 18%. Are you sure it’s only 15? That’s lower even than layer feed.

Our local feed store says min 15% for grower and min 17% for layer.

Should I move up to layer?

 

[elletee89]

All I can tell is she isn't getting enough protein, nutrients or vitamins. Give some yogurt with vitamins B complex and E to help.
Do you see the other picking at her?

Here is what I use
View attachment 4172119

Thank you very much, I will look into added vitamins and nutrients right away.

If anything, she would pick at the others lol. I’ve never seen the “boys” peck at her.

 

[CCsGarden]

Thank you very much, I will look into added vitamins and nutrients right away.

If anything, she would pick at the others lol. I’ve never seen the “boys” peck at her.

Okay good to know! Yeah, if she thinks she needs some vitamin she will pick at the others feathers .