Mites? Lice? Gleet? HELP!

[kwoodardparker]

I have 8 hens, all 18 months old. About a month ago they slowed down production (from 8 a day to 2 or 3, now only 1 a day). I have looked through all sorts of material, and examined the ones that were beginning to look bad but couldn't find anything. They are still eating and drinking but are skittish and losing feathers and lethargic (except from being skittish). I thought it might just be molting but it seems to be going on longer than I thought it would (this is my first go at chickens). I'm attaching some pictures to see if anyone has any advice. The only ones that look okay are my Ameracaunas - but I haven't had a blue egg in over a week so I know neither of them are laying.













Any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Kelly

 

[ten chicks]

Looks like they are molting. If concerned about mites/lice,check under wings,around base of tail feathers,around vent area. With vent gleet there is usually a whitish discharge from vent.

Here is a link regarding molting.

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2011/12/molting-what-is-it-and-how-to-manage-it.html