Gawky chocken stage?

[NewcoopNewpoop]

Do chickens get gawky as they mature from juvenile to adult?
Our chickens breast meat (orpington and bc maran) seems to fluctuate. They are 3-4 mo.
On free choice start and grow, small amounts of wet soldierfly larvae and free range a medium sized yard.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yes, just like human teenagers. They seem to grow taller first, then longer, then wider, plus there's juvenile molts, so often times they look a bit ratty or like their proportions don't quite make sense.

 

[NewcoopNewpoop]

Yes, just like human teenagers. They seem to grow taller first, then longer, then wider, plus there's juvenile molts, so often times they look a bit ratty or like their proportions don't quite make sense.

This explains the extra feathers laying around... thanks for your response

 

[SourRoses]

Totally! And more than one gawky stage too. There are some ages where I'm embarrassed to take pictures of them, lol.
It's usually 5 juvenile molts they go through before they grow their big girl feathers.
Some really slow growing big breeds, look a bit silly for ages before they finally fill out, the roosters especially.