you know ... this post had me very very concerned... As soon as I got home this evening I ran to the barn to check on my chickens ... AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!  I see signs of feathers on every single one!!  Apparently it's incredibly contagious and now they are sitting on these white or brown spheres ... I can't even get near these spores (??) as they immediately attack me when I try to grab them ... First the feathers and now this ... my poor, poor hens and i'm afraid for my boys ... no signs of these spores from them, but when I turn on the lights they "scream" as if they are in pain or are angry with me ... I'm afraid I now have mutant chickens or that they are possessed by Intelligent Life forms from another planet or something ... I'm sleeping with my BBQ apron on tonight and the BBQ sauce close by.
I called my vet and explained everything to him ... he said he's sending someone over right away.  I'm wondering if I should meet him in the yard with my biohazard suit on. 
Wow ... that was fast ... they're here ... they must be taking this seriously ... there's an ambulance and even a couple of police cars ... I'll let you all know how it goes later ... 
Please be CAREFUL ... VERY VERY CAREFUL!!!!