Why am I such an ugly duckling (chicken)

[Chicken Lady Janice]

I'm either a 2 month old leghorn or road island white and my feathers are coming in slowly. Is this normal? I look just like my sister but don't look like the other young ones. Is there any reason for concern.?

 

[Goosegrrl]

Meat chick... they tend to grow faster than their feathers can keep up with.

 

[Chicken Lady Janice]

Meat chick... they tend to grow faster than their feathers can keep up with.

thank you

 

[Dogue]

That is a cornish cross, not a leghorn or RIW, by the way.

 

[Chicken Lady Janice]

oh really, that's interesting. That's what they told me at the local tractor supply. Thanks for letting me know that.

 

[Dogue]

You'll need to restrict their feed instead of letting them eat 24/7, and keep them active if you intend to have them live much longer than 3 months old. This breed is bred to be ready for butchering at 8 weeks old, and they grow so fast and big that their bodies can't keep up. If you don't keep them active and limit their feed intake, they will likely die of heart attacks or leg problems before they are even adults. I have two of my own... super sweet birds, it's a shame about their health issues.