New member with some size & behavior questions

[Beed]

Hey everybody, I hate to ask because I am sure these are questions that have been asked before. I have searched and searched but just can't find answers so thanks to everyone who takes a look at this post.

My 2 chix are 13 weeks old. Cochin is about a foot high and probably weighs (no bird scale yet) about 1.5 to 2 LBS. My Polish is smaller in girth but lankier of course.
Are they bantams? Would they be almost full grown yet?

Should I help my polish with the pin feathers on the back of her head?

Keep in mind they are in a new home and probably stressed a little still but only when resting they sometimes have open beak breathing. Not real heavy but faster than normal. Stress? or should I be concerned about illness? There are no rales (C/S) or sounds when they breath.

Lastly I have a lot of dwarf wandering jew and kalancho in yard. I have looked but no info about them being poisonous or not-anyone know?

I really appreciate any help.
Much thanks,

Beed in Florida

 

[BeckyLa]

Sounds like the Cochin may be a bantam, I'm not sure about the Polish. They are just over 3 months old so still a bit young to tell for sure.

I wouldn't worry about the pinfeathers, they'll grow out in time.

Are you in S. Florida? If so, don't worry about the breathing, it's normal.

I know wandering jew is poisonous, I'm not sure about the other. Chances are, if it's bad for them they won't touch it. I'd just keep an eye on them to see if they peck at it. They may once or twice and then just leave it alone.

I found this thread that has lists of poisonous plants:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=1097714

 

[Beed]

Thank you BeckyLa,

Yes,I am in sunny, hot, South Florida on the Treasure Coast. It is 66 degrees right now and I am freezing-HA! I feel better about the breathing now. Great links to poisonous plants! Appreciate it. Haven't yet found out about the Kalancho. It is the weirdest plant and grows wild all over here.

I keep coming up w/ questions...

About how much (quantity) should a growing chicken eat per day? I read somewhere between 3 and 5 ounces of pellet. Is this correct? I don't think they are eating quite that much. Right now I am feeding mine grower pellet (in feeder and scattered), scratch (feeder, scattered), and giving them a small bowl of veggies and treats twice a day. They have sand and oyster shell also. Is this enough? Too much? They are pooping good. Every now and then one will have a diarrhea poo but it doesn't happen for long. They are not getting many bugs so I am supplementing w/ eggs and some meat. They love Romaine lettuce. Glad about that.


Thanks again,
Beed