Molting or mite

[Goose3984]

I have 5 Rhode Island red hens about 18 months old been laying great for months. They get a layer crumble an fresh kale an other fresh veggies bugs an snails an oyster shell. They aren't free range but have a nice large coop that I clean regularly. Some of them aren't laying as regularly an they have white feathers showing through there red. They look a bit disheveled but otherwise they are acting normally. Some of them have some missing feathers around the side of the neck,not where they can reach without help. They aren't showing any sings of mites or lice red combs no damaged feathers no mites visible. Is this just molting? Its warm here I can take pictures if that helps thank you for any advice.

 

[Alibabe]

Hi
I am still relatively new to chickens but could they be moulting? If so, try and increase protein to help them to regrow their new feathers. My main layer who is older than the rest of the flock is going through a moult at the moment and I am feeding her extra protein by feeding her eggs (boiled or scrambled), tinned tuna in brine not oil, and chicken liver is also a good source of extra protein.

Good luck

 

[Goose3984]

Ok I will do that, does giving them egg increase them eating their own eggs? Not a problem mine have ever had but not a habit I would want to inadvertently start.

 

[Alibabe]

Ok I will do that, does giving them egg increase them eating their own eggs? Not a problem mine have ever had but not a habit I would want to inadvertently start.

No it will not encourage them to eat their eggs as they are cooked and look nothing like their eggs as they are chopped up. I also feed their egg shells back to them, just crush them and throw them into their run.