Newbie Questions - chicken envy

[kimchick621]

So yesterday I was visiting a girlfriend, and she has a beautiful (BEAUTIFUL) flock of chickens. They all just started laying so I'd imagine they are about 6-7 months old. She has a mixed flock, but I seriously have never been envious of a RIR before...it was stunning, they all were.

I have chicken envy, LOL! Not only are her chickens lovely, they are clean, and soft to touch (think down feathers here, I really couldn't help but to snuggle her chickens, and they are handled so much they didn't mind!). Is it because they are young? Is it because they are well bred? Is it because she takes care of them so well? Is it all of the above?

I'm a new chickener (is that a word?) I got my girls are almost a year old and going through a soft molt right now. They aren't soft to the touch, and honestly I can't think they have ever been as soft as hers. Can my girls be as pristine as hers, or should I ask her where she ordered hers from?

Are my girls sick because they aren't as gorgeous as hers?

 

[thebanthams]

she raised them well!, good feed and clean pens =happy chickies! Once they molt they may or may not be the same again. its they way of life for chickes ! spoil them with table scraps, mostly greens , they love 'em!

 

[Smoochie]

Many chickens look good with proper care and management. Breed quality and purpose also. A hen that rarely lays is often the prettiest...

 

[Going Quackers]

Mine are soft too which surprised me lol I mean my ducks are soft, but i was new to chickens and i guess i didn't expect it. My girls are handled daily, the run is not attached to the coop so they have to be walked over( so twice a day they get a carry)

Mine are young 5.5mths(turning 6mths by mid month) so they have yet to molt for the first time, one just began laying this week! so hard to say how that will alter things.

We feed a flock raiser and BOSS, a toss of scratch and veggies and fruits to the girls.