why are my week old chicks losing feathers? is it mites?

[mjfletch1]

I became a chicken owner for the first time a couple days ago when I brought home week old ISA brown chicks. My first problem was that two of them were having problems with pasty butt and it looks like (after researching it) they both have prolapsed vents. Their rears are featherless and all red and look terrible. I've been putting coconut oil on them. I have Lisa Steele's 'Fresh Eggs Daily" book about how to raise chickens naturally so I've been giving them herbs and oregano tea and some other things she suggests. The two seemed to be doing better but them today I saw that another one's feathers are turning brown, dry, and are falling out. She's constantly pecking at that area. Would that suggest mites? Do I use diatomaceous earth? Is it ok to use on a chick that young? What do I do? Help!! I just got them and they already have so many problems and I don't know what to do

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Post a pic.

In a few days after purchase there doesn't seem to be a way a bird can have so many problems. I think you may be misdiagnosing things. Chicks are constantly growing feathers and molting. ISA browns grow brown feathers. If your constantly rubbing the butts they will be swollen and red. How could a chick from a feed store have mites? Plain water and feed is all they should need. Take a deep breath, hold back on the constant treatments and take good photos of what you think may be wrong.