Yes, we've already learned that lesson the hard way. We've spent over a thousand dollars (my hub calls her our milion dollar chicken) on our Rhode Island White (or RIR/Leghorn mix, not sure yet).
She had all sorts of infections from the feed store, thankfully I took her to the vet the first day...
Hey! I'm in SE Texas too!!..........buuuuuut.......my chickens don't look like that...LOL
Although I'm only on page 11 of this thread so far, I have to say I can't imagine a worse looking molt than what you just posted. That's, um,.....yeah, that's pretty gnarly.
Did you say that you have...