Are my chickens sick?

[lisaaaaati4]

Hi all, I have 9 chickens 3 are rescues and 6 are 11 months old of the 6 I have 2 Delewares 2 BO and 2 RIR the 3 rescues are also RIR the 2 new RIR are loosing feathers and not laying...it is not molting season as its just getting into spring....they have been like this for awhile now...not sure if something is wrong with them? All of the other chickens are fine happy and laying. Anyone know what it could be??

 

[CorinneP]

Do you have Roosters too ? An Active rooster can make a pretty good bald spot . Were they laying before ?

 

[Den in Penn]

The new chickens are stressed from the move to a new home. It takes awhile for hens to settle into a new place. If they haven't been thrown into molt they should start laying in a few weeks. If they have been induced to molt, and it sounds like it, it could be a couple of months or not till they start.

 

[lisaaaaati4]

I do not have any roosters. And they have been with me since 6 days old same coop no move. They have never layed before either...1 of them has looked like this longer than the other...I thought she was getting picked on, but have sat and watched and that is not the case either. SORRY I prob should have put all this in original post.

 

[CorinneP]

hmmm have you checked them over close for mites lice etc? Are they eating well active ?

 

[lisaaaaati4]

They are eating and drinking well and active...I do not know how to check for mites but did buy poultry powder about 2 weeks ago have sprinkled some on all my chickens and in their run.

 

[benjoycei]

mine are doing the same thing....

 

[CorinneP]

Read up on the type of powder you bought make sure they aren't getting complaints or problems with that .. you can sort of look at your chickens closely for mites and fleas etc. they are a visible .. check poop for worms and or changes etc.. Some feather loss isn't necessarily a big deal .. Are they all enclosed or could they be hiding Eggs ?

 

[Den in Penn]

Well if its not molt pr feather picking, it may be an infestation. Lice or mites. The six are 11 months how old are the rescues?

 

[lisaaaaati4]

The rescues are aproxamately 6 yrs. Just checked powder brand didnt see anything negative come up.....it just has me so puzzled. All my other chickens are doing well.