Hello from Rochester Washington

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Hello Linda!
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from WA. glad you joined us!
 
I'm from Eatonville too!
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There could be a couple of things going on here. First would be that you just acquired them 6 weeks ago. Some gals need more time to adjust than others to those kinds of changes and it sounds like the pecking order is still being established in the flock. And second, it's that time of year when they lose their feathers and slow down on the egg laying. As other's pointed out, extra protein comes in handy for this time.

Good luck!
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Chickie'sMoma :

welcome to BYC from Rochester.....NH!
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your girls are going through molting and like someone said, they will need extra protein while this happens. giving them black oil sunflower seeds (BOSS) will help them get through it. if you can also up their feed to something with higher protein that is good. game bird feed is usually the highest you can get without spending a fortune. even if you do it for only a few weeks till most of the molt is out of the way. also, be careful handling them, their new feathers (pin feathers) will be hurting them since they will be filled with blood while they are coming back in and not opened up yet. this is also a good time while they are not laying eggs to do any de-worming.

i would suggest taking the hen that is acting dominant out of the pen for a day so she looses her place in the order and has to re-establish it. find some stuff called blue kote to treat the balding beauty's spot so it can heal. or see if you can find some Pik-stop that is used to help keep the others from picking at her. it is supposed to taste nasty to them if they try to pick at or around a bald spot.

good luck!

I agree
btw
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Hi everyone....I appreciate your welcomes and all the neat information. I will do as suggested and up their protein take, get the worming underway, try to give them additional interests:.I have been adding small quantities of green lettuce and cabbage to their diet each day. I have a portable pen to move them to outside their chicken run while I am cleaning it I will let them stay in it for longer periods of time during the days. We did get our 2nd egg yesterday..So I am still hopeful..
They do appear content and I just love the way the "talk" to me each day as they "greet" me at their pen gate. They have a 12 by 14 chicken run with 3 nest boxes and several roosts. I am not ready to let them run loose as we have too many feral cats (plus a lynx, coyotes etc) that patrol thru the country side in our area..WE have purchased a round chicken tractor now which they will live in during the spring and summer..
Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and welcomes...
Linda
 

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