Normal feather growth?

[jenni22776rn]

This is my 5-6 week old BO roo...he is getting most of his feathers but still has some fluff spots under his wings...

This is my (hoping) pullet that is the same age as my Roo...she has all of her feathers everywhere..
is it normal for roo's to feather out later? I am getting a little concerned because he still as alot of bald spots..but she is looks like a mini adult hen..will he catch up soon?

 

[aprhardy]

I don't know much about feathering in, but just wanted to comment how pretty your BO's are! Hopefully someone can help you with your question.

 

[buzymom13]

I'm on my 2nd year of chicken raising so not an expert yet but what I've seen of it the roo's always take longer to feather out. It's normal. My pullets always feathered out faster then the roos though.

Good Luck!

 

[jenni22776rn]

Thank you..this is my first time with BO..was unplanned but have to say I am loving the peronality of them! My pullet Miss Lizzy,has to have the sweetest personailty..loves to just sit on my shoulder..does not matter what I am doing..she just needs to be on me!

 

[jenni22776rn]

Quote:
Thanks..I am glad to hear that..I was concerned that my Pullet might be a Roo..but she was fully feathered at about 4 weeks...he is still in that so ugly..he is cute phase! How old before he gets fully feathered?

 

[kelidei]

Right now I have a seven week old Black Jersey Giant cockerel that looks worse than your BO! The girls are all nicely feathered out and he has a ragged coat of fuzz, feathers and bare spots... he looks so pathetic!!! I do notice that everyday there is more feather growth. I had a similar experience with a GLW cockerel. He ended up looking beautiful. I do believe that with some breeds males do take a longer time to feather out. My guess is, since my experience with this has been with larger breeds, that they are growing so fast there is less protein to feather production. I mix some calf manna with their feed to boost the protein content a little... seems to help

 

[buzymom13]

It really depends on the breed and all but I find that the roos are a couple weeks behind my pullets. Generally.


Chickens are so much fun!

 

[jenni22776rn]

Quote:
Calf manna? What is that and where do I find it? I have them on chicken starter..just stopped the medicated this week. I have grit included in their feed...it is at the feed store? I have 3 RIR chicks about the same age also with fuzz spots....and how do you like the jersery giant breed? I saw pictures of them yesterday on their thread and they are big girls...look cute!

 

[aprhardy]

Thank you..this is my first time with BO..was unplanned but have to say I am loving the peronality of them! My pullet Miss Lizzy,has to have the sweetest personailty..loves to just sit on my shoulder..does not matter what I am doing..she just needs to be on me!

I recently acquired 2 BO pullets about 5 months old, and they are super sweet! They warmed up to us and our other chickens right quickly. In only a week they've learned to come when I call them and will come hang out on the porch waiting for us to come out. The 2 RIR's I got at the same time (same age and raised with the BO's) will not have anything to do with us and rarely even come when we feed treats and when we get close they run from us. So guess their personalities are just not as personable as the BO's. I look forward to what they will be like when they get older and more comfortable.

Best wishes!! Happy chicken farming!

 

[kelidei]

Quote:
Calf manna? What is that and where do I find it? I have them on chicken starter..just stopped the medicated this week. I have grit included in their feed...it is at the feed store? I have 3 RIR chicks about the same age also with fuzz spots....and how do you like the jersery giant breed? I saw pictures of them yesterday on their thread and they are big girls...look cute!

Yes... you should be able to get calf manna at your feed store. I use it with my older birds too when they go into molt. So far I love my Giants. One of the girls jumps up in my lap the minute I sit down by their grow out pen. I researched a lot before I placed my chick order this year and I am very happy with the breeds I chose. Below are some pictures including my poor boy

Sir Scruffy

My little Lovie

Two more Jersey pullets

A group shot