Parasites or molting in winter below freezing?

[Mrs. Mucket]

I thought a few of my hens were being pecked by another one, but today I watched one of the worst-pecked ones picking at herself. I'm wondering if they have lice or mites? It's been below freezing most of the time for the past several weeks--sometimes above freezing during the day, down below 0 F. some nights.

These girls were hatched last May...could they be molting this soon?

 

[usschicago1]

Mrs. Mucket :

I thought a few of my hens were being pecked by another one, but today I watched one of the worst-pecked ones picking at herself. I'm wondering if they have lice or mites? It's been below freezing most of the time for the past several weeks--sometimes above freezing during the day, down below 0 F. some nights.

These girls were hatched last May...could they be molting this soon?

It could be lice/mites or molting. I have a little hen molting herself. The best way to know is to closely examine the feathers for eggs or the little critters. Take some time looking especially under the wing and by vents. After an extensive examination, if you don't see anything she is probably molting.

GoodLuck