Molting, Mites, or stress (silkie)

[asnod]

Hi! I have 2 silkies and both are seeming a little bit 'off'.

Our white silkie, Queen Volta, has been broody for about 2 weeks now. I've been trying to move her off the nest throughout the day to ensure she eats and drinks.The other chickens seem to pick on her when she is out. She is not laying.
Our black silkie, Bhapt, has lost almost all her feathers on her back and front and recently has been found in the nesting box with Queen during the day. But otherwise laying almost every day.

We moved the coops and birds about 1.5 months ago from a very suburban area with almost no predators where they use to free range for a few hours a week; to a less suburban area where they've been stalked by a fox a few times, and are surrounded by bunnies, moles, and other wild animals. They also never get out to stretch their legs since we have no fence but neighbors close enough to cause problems.

Our amber links and easter egger seem to be doing great and laying everyday.

Does this sound like molting, mites, stress or something else? Any advice?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

How old is your black Silkie? It could be a molt, but generally they stop laying during that. When they brood, they don't molt; however, they will molt extensively after finishing a brood. They can look like silly pin cushions.

I'm inclined to think something is amiss since she is laying and has feather loss on her back and neck. It may be feather picking from the large fowl? She may be hiding in the nest with the other Silkie, who doesn't show feather loss as she has been brooding and out of the flock. My large fowl typically are rather ruthless with my Silkies, which is why I keep them in a separate hutch and pen.

LofMc