silkies just not growing

[sdmeyers88]

My Silkies are just not growing. They are free range and stay basically within 50 yards of the coop. I have them on 20% egg layer, small amount of scratch , and a little oyster shell. I give them greens, boiled eggs, oats(a little), and other veg scraps. They look scraggly and not "fluffy" like those on this site. Also, I have not seen a single egg. They are 5 months old. I have lost 2 in the past month and dont know why..just found them dead. They all sleep together no matter what type of roost I have. I have checked for mites and there are none, I have found lice and put a tub of DE which they dust themselves in. I started this last week. I clean the coop everyday and they have plenty of fresh water , shade, dust areas, etc.... Any ideas or help please.

 

[Kevin565]

I would not advise ever feeding layer feed to chicks. It has too much calcium and can cause damage to your chick's body. Are these birds hatchery stock? Hatchery birds may never get as fluffy as the breeder birds you see on here.

 

[sdmeyers88]

They are breeder birds. What is your advice on feed... and egg production