please advise

[21hens-incharge]

I assume they now have nice dry fine dirt to dust bathe in. That will help them a lot.

Definitely check them over for mites and lice. If you find any treat them, the coop and existing flock with a proven product.
Many use permethrin 10. If you find anything let us know and we can certainly help you find the best cure.

Adding wood ash from a fireplace or fire pit to the dust bathing spots will help them to stay mite free. Just don't use ash from a bbq grill or that contains ash from treated wood. Those contain harmful chemicals.

 

[Acre4Me]

Smell has decreased probably bc their new environment has provided better/drier dust bathing opportunities. Definitely check for mites/lice. But, easy to treat if found and population not allowed to grow unchecked.

Good luck!

 

[aart]

My Bug Check notes:
Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008