SOP rose and single comb RIR

[Eirelavmcgoo]

Hello everyone! I have a small flock of RIR I’m needing assistance with. The feather quality if a bit off to me, it looks like shredder feather but I’ve been told it’s not. I’ve assumed this is standard because every sop RIR I’ve seen looks like this. I didn’t a post from this forum showing a breeder with beautiful hens.

I have been told this is nutritional. I’m unsure how to adjust nutrition since I feed a balanced ration with only slight changes during molt and winter, everyone gets a grower/finisher with higher protein and lower calcium but still a complete ration.

Anyways, is this truly nutritional?

 

[nuthatched]

What are you feeding, specifically?

 

[Eirelavmcgoo]

What are you feeding, specifically?

Right now, commercial layer ration. In the fall winter I switch to grower/finisher. We don’t supplement light and heat so the ladies stop laying around for three months.

 

[nuthatched]

Right now, commercial layer ration. In the fall winter I switch to grower/finisher. We don’t supplement light and heat so the ladies stop laying around for three months.

Standard 16% ? It could also be genetic, are they all from the sane source?

 

[Eirelavmcgoo]

Standard 16% ? It could also be genetic, are they all from the sane source?

Yes 16%. They are from the same breeder but he’s been developing them for years and has acquired different bloodline from Canada and the US. In fact, I went to a chicken show and there were two separate breeders who have different lines from this guy and all the birds at show looked the same.

 

[nuthatched]

Yes 16%. They are from the same breeder but he’s been developing them for years and has acquired different bloodline from Canada and the US. In fact, I went to a chicken show and there were two separate breeders who have different lines from this guy and all the birds at show looked the same.

Do you mean that all the birds at the show had the same odd feathering?

Any de, ashes or rough sand?

16% protein is a low amount for any birds that are intended to live more than 2 years, it's the bare minimum they can eat and still live and lay eggs. That doesn't include better body form or feathers.
I'd reccomended at least 18% protein.

 

[Amer]

Low protein could be responsible... What is the humidity there? Is it dry? A little more fat in the diet could also help... By adding small amount oil in the feed.
Feathers with heavy red pigment like that tend to get drier without adequate nutrition and proper environment, but given the ideal conditions they can be just as soft and beautiful as any other feather color.