And no pecking.
Pretty ladies!
Pretty ladies!
Sometimes I think I'm just conning people to post their chicken pics.
I always see some feathers around. Since you don't see any bald spots, I would just keep an eye to see if anything changes. Even though it might not be normal for a molt to take place that young... my Feb born girls did do mini molts in the beginning of the following year, which I didn't expect until 18 months or so. The birds didn't read the rule book and seem to like keeping us in our toes.
You are being vigilant so you should be able to catch anything before it becomes a major issue.
One thing I will mention is that GLW are a dual purpose bird and as such will do better on at least 18% protein than the normal 16% of layer if that's what you use. So be sure not to diminish protein by low nutrient treats such as lettuce or corn. Even though most feeds are mage up of mostly corn, they have added vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients like amino acids.
Which will bring me to my next piece of info to share. Feathers are made of 90% protein and the amino acids it contains. Diminish the protein too much get low quality feathers and birds and eggs.
I actually use a flock raiser with 20% protein and 1% calcium with oyster shell on the side for layers. I do this because my birds are dual purpose not light bodied layer breeds. Also because I have chicks, juveniles, roosters, and broody's in my flock who don't need the extra calcium. And the chicks do need the protein. Sometimes I add in a higher value feed to meed in the middle (say young chicks I like to give 22-25%). Many show folks also give higher protein feed because it gives them fuller, shinier feathers. 30% plus is too much and can cause health issues for chickens, and I wouldn't go above 25% for grown birds.
22% protein has even been shown to give higher hatch rates than 16. Which to me says better nutrition in the eggs my family is consuming. And since I DO hatch, I try to meet the best standards possible. Everybody likes strong, healthy chicks.
Anyways, I'm just saying that if you do feed layer to give nutritious snacks. All things in moderation. I like to give scrambled eggs and meal worm. Both are little high in fat though. So only on occasion, maybe once a week. They like chicken, turkey, ground beef.. if I have some I now won't be eaten in time by my family.
Sorry so long! I can provide links if you like to check my research for yourself.
Just shared info, not trying to tell you to change whatever you are doing. Always do what makes sense to you! And if you learn something different in the future then switch it up. One thing I've learned is that is a lot of trial and error with chicken keeping since no two birds, flocks, flock owners, or set ups will be the same.
I don't see anything causing alarm bells to go off in my head right now. If you see behavior change or different droppings than normal, then try again for some answers.
Pretty ladies!
Sometimes I think I'm just conning people to post their chicken pics.
I always see some feathers around. Since you don't see any bald spots, I would just keep an eye to see if anything changes. Even though it might not be normal for a molt to take place that young... my Feb born girls did do mini molts in the beginning of the following year, which I didn't expect until 18 months or so. The birds didn't read the rule book and seem to like keeping us in our toes.
You are being vigilant so you should be able to catch anything before it becomes a major issue.
One thing I will mention is that GLW are a dual purpose bird and as such will do better on at least 18% protein than the normal 16% of layer if that's what you use. So be sure not to diminish protein by low nutrient treats such as lettuce or corn. Even though most feeds are mage up of mostly corn, they have added vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients like amino acids.
Which will bring me to my next piece of info to share. Feathers are made of 90% protein and the amino acids it contains. Diminish the protein too much get low quality feathers and birds and eggs.
I actually use a flock raiser with 20% protein and 1% calcium with oyster shell on the side for layers. I do this because my birds are dual purpose not light bodied layer breeds. Also because I have chicks, juveniles, roosters, and broody's in my flock who don't need the extra calcium. And the chicks do need the protein. Sometimes I add in a higher value feed to meed in the middle (say young chicks I like to give 22-25%). Many show folks also give higher protein feed because it gives them fuller, shinier feathers. 30% plus is too much and can cause health issues for chickens, and I wouldn't go above 25% for grown birds.
22% protein has even been shown to give higher hatch rates than 16. Which to me says better nutrition in the eggs my family is consuming. And since I DO hatch, I try to meet the best standards possible. Everybody likes strong, healthy chicks.
Anyways, I'm just saying that if you do feed layer to give nutritious snacks. All things in moderation. I like to give scrambled eggs and meal worm. Both are little high in fat though. So only on occasion, maybe once a week. They like chicken, turkey, ground beef.. if I have some I now won't be eaten in time by my family.
Sorry so long! I can provide links if you like to check my research for yourself.
Just shared info, not trying to tell you to change whatever you are doing. Always do what makes sense to you! And if you learn something different in the future then switch it up. One thing I've learned is that is a lot of trial and error with chicken keeping since no two birds, flocks, flock owners, or set ups will be the same.
I don't see anything causing alarm bells to go off in my head right now. If you see behavior change or different droppings than normal, then try again for some answers.
Pretty ladies!
Sometimes I think I'm just conning people to post their chicken pics.
I always see some feathers around. Since you don't see any bald spots, I would just keep an eye to see if anything changes. Even though it might not be normal for a molt to take place that young... my Feb born girls did do mini molts in the beginning of the following year, which I didn't expect until 18 months or so. The birds didn't read the rule book and seem to like keeping us in our toes.
You are being vigilant so you should be able to catch anything before it becomes a major issue.
One thing I will mention is that GLW are a dual purpose bird and as such will do better on at least 18% protein than the normal 16% of layer if that's what you use. So be sure not to diminish protein by low nutrient treats such as lettuce or corn. Even though most feeds are mage up of mostly corn, they have added vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients like amino acids.
Which will bring me to my next piece of info to share. Feathers are made of 90% protein and the amino acids it contains. Diminish the protein too much get low quality feathers and birds and eggs.
I actually use a flock raiser with 20% protein and 1% calcium with oyster shell on the side for layers. I do this because my birds are dual purpose not light bodied layer breeds. Also because I have chicks, juveniles, roosters, and broody's in my flock who don't need the extra calcium. And the chicks do need the protein. Sometimes I add in a higher value feed to meed in the middle (say young chicks I like to give 22-25%). Many show folks also give higher protein feed because it gives them fuller, shinier feathers. 30% plus is too much and can cause health issues for chickens, and I wouldn't go above 25% for grown birds.
22% protein has even been shown to give higher hatch rates than 16. Which to me says better nutrition in the eggs my family is consuming. And since I DO hatch, I try to meet the best standards possible. Everybody likes strong, healthy chicks.
Anyways, I'm just saying that if you do feed layer to give nutritious snacks. All things in moderation. I like to give scrambled eggs and meal worm. Both are little high in fat though. So only on occasion, maybe once a week. They like chicken, turkey, ground beef.. if I have some I now won't be eaten in time by my family.
Sorry so long! I can provide links if you like to check my research for yourself.
Just shared info, not trying to tell you to change whatever you are doing. Always do what makes sense to you! And if you learn something different in the future then switch it up. One thing I've learned is that is a lot of trial and error with chicken keeping since no two birds, flocks, flock owners, or set ups will be the same.
I don't see anything causing alarm bells to go off in my head right now. If you see behavior change or different droppings than normal, then try again for some answers.
