⠀ The awkward teenage stage

[Purina]

If you raised spring chicks this year, they’re most likely 3-4 months old by now. This means it’s time for the awkward teenage stage!

During this phase, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Feed: Continue to feed a complete starter-grower feed to support the protein needs your teenagers need to grow healthy.

Sexual maturity: Your birds will reach sexual maturity between 4-6 months of age, and the difference between males and females will become even more obvious.

Treats: Scratch grains can be fed to your birds starting at 18 weeks of age. At the minimum, wait until they are 12 weeks old and limit the amount of scratch to less than 10% of their diet.

If you’re feeding scratch grains, then you may want to consider providing grit to your birds. Grit is not absolutely necessary, but it can help with digestion of the scratch. Grit is made up of small, insoluble granite particles that assist the gizzard in grinding up large feed particles.

Are you enjoying this stage of backyard flock raising? Post a photo of your awkward teenage birds below!

 

[MageofMist]

My 3 month old dinosaurs. They don't look as awkward as they used to be when they were younger getting their white floof, I called it the "Awkward Pokemon Stage"

Pretty sure I have 1 roo and 4 hens in the batch of 5 judging by their development, which is a good ratio.

And for the "Awkward Pokemon Stage":

 

[Purina]

My 3 month old dinosaurs. They don't look as awkward as they used to be when they were younger getting their white floof, I called it the "Awkward Pokemon Stage"

Pretty sure I have 1 roo and 4 hens in the batch of 5 judging by their development, which is a good ratio.

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And for the "Awkward Pokemon Stage":
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Thanks for sharing, MageofMist! What an adorable group of teenagers you have!

 

[Chickassan]

My teenagers "well except for Cletus" he's hard to get a picture of because he's always on my shoulder. Almost three months old already acting like adults, typical teenagers.

 

[MrsAuberry00]

It doesn't get more awkward looking than this!