My chicks are losing feathers and they are not laying eggs yet

[Louhi]

i started rasing chickens 150 flock 20 rooster and 130 hen now they are almost 6 months old , I had that weird phenomenon I was expecting eggs like 3 weeks now and still waiting ... the thing is instead of laying eggs the started changing feathers like on the back and low back right on the tail they look weird and freaky...
Ps we are having summer it's getting hot out here it could be 40° in the outside
When do u think they are going to lay eggs and is it normal to change feathers because of the heat maybe !

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

What breeds? What are you feeding? They could be going through their last baby molt and getting their adult feathers.

 

[Louhi]

Buff Orpington ,
Hybrid,
Plymouth Rock all are in the same age
I am feeding organic only mixed seeds, all kind of vegetables , fruits even fishes left overs some times they are really enjoying fruit and little fishes actually the sound really happy every time they get it
But isn't it weird to get their adult feathers in this age I thought they are already mature they are between 3 kilos and 2 kilos they started mading a month ago ...

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

So you aren't feeding an actual ration? Could be they are lacking protein which will slow down them maturing. Your breeds should start laying between 4-6 months. They generally get their adult feathers before they begin laying.

 

[Kiki]

That is a lot of roosters, are they tearing the girls back up?
When you have a minute please read this, it may help you to see how important a complete feed is for egg production.
http://articles.extension.org/pages/69065/feeding-chickens-for-egg-production

 

[Louhi]

No only organic food for my chicks ! I'll try to focus on something's that r rich of protein...
I hope they make it soon
Do you know how many days it takes the last this kind of molting
Ps thank you so much you have been very helpful

 

[Kiki]

No only organic food for my chicks ! I'll try to focus on something's that r rich of protein...
I hope they make it soon
Do you know how many days it takes the last this kind of molting
Ps thank you so much you have been very helpful

I do not believe they are molting.
I think the roosters are ripping the girls feathers out.
Can you watch thins video and then upload a few pictures of them.
One rooster for ever 10 hens is a bit better ratio. You have double that amount.
Not good for the girls.

 

[peterlund]

That is a lot of roosters, are they tearing the girls back up?
When you have a minute please read this, it may help you to see how important a complete feed is for egg production.
http://articles.extension.org/pages/69065/feeding-chickens-for-egg-production

I second this.... you may need 4 or 5 roos..... this sounds like trouble from the start....

 

[Kiki]

@Louhi are you aware that you do not need a rooster..not even one...for a hen to lay eggs?

 

[21hens-incharge]

I also agree with Kiki.
The places they are missing feathers sounds like cockerel damage.

I also agree that they may be delayed due to kind of feed.