Help with Golden sexlinks.

[Driftwood chicken momma]

My two year old Golden Sexlinks molted but then never got their front feathers back. And ones tail feathers look a little stripped. They have never done this before. Can anyone tell me are they sick or are they lacking protein? Thanks for any info or help

 

[Eggcessive]

How long ago did they start their molts? It looks like some new feathers are coming back evidenced by the blue grey feather shafts. There could be some feather picking going on if they have completed molting or they may not have completed molting. Feather picking is a bad habit that is caused by overcrowding, not enough protein in the diet, too much light in the coop, and boredom from not getting outside to roam all day. What are you feeding including treats? Are there other birds who do have any missing feathers?

 

[Driftwood chicken momma]

Honestly i dont remember when they started their molt. I know it was at least a month ago. I was wondering if it was feather picking because they seem to look likfeathers are coming in but then they dont if that makes since. This am i noticed one of my girls had a little red in that area like a feather had been pulled and was bleeding. We only have 6 in that run and it is pretty big. We usually ket them in our garden too but not right now with baby plants. That get organic chicken feed and a special mix once a week with seeds. Treats they get our kitchen scrapes so any veggie and fruit cuttings we dont eat. We dont ket them free rein do to our other animals. But they are in a large outside run. One other has a few spots on her neck thats my Wyandotte. But her an look like they are filling in and she is still laying. Thanks for all the help

 

[coach723]

Mostly it looks like feather picking to me. How big is "pretty big" of a run? Overcrowding is entirely decided by the chickens. A space that works for one group may not work for another. One very dominant bird can make a space very small. Also how big is the coop?
Around the neck, sometimes it is feather breakage from birds sticking their heads through fencing to get something on the other side. Where are you, generally, in the world? It's a bit early in the US for molt, but not unheard of. Also, can you clarify age a little? Just turned 2, turning 2 soon? I have sexlinks and two things for them specifically come to mind. Feather quality is not always terrific, and I have had quite a few miss their first adult molt or have a very light molt the first time, so the feathers get really, really ratty looking before they finally have a decent molt in those birds. I've got three or 4 right now that did not molt last year and they look pretty awful. Usually the first true adult molt happens after they turn about 18 months old, and obviously the chickens don't read the literature, so that can vary and sometimes it's earlier or later.

 

[Driftwood chicken momma]

Our run in their area is about 4 to 5 feet wide and about 25 feet long. Gove or take i have not measured it. All their fencing is small wire so they cant put their heads through, we live in way south TX so we have fox, coyotes, bobcats, etc.. They are two years old. Their coop is around 4' by 5' and goes upwards 6' with roosts.