Why are my year-olds so ratty?

[sevenbabychicks]

A few months ago, my birds were beautiful - but lately their feathers have lost some of their sheen and seem out of place all the time. Compared to my 6 month-old pullets, the older birds look way older then a year. Is this natural? They're healthy and happy otherwise, and laying well. They went through a molt about a month or two ago, so I don't think it's that...

Advice? Insights? Thanks!

 

[chicmom]

Hmm the first thing I would have guessed is molting, because they usually skip the first fall and have their first full molt in the second fall.

Could your older ones have maybe a mite or lice problem?