This is my first winter with chickens!!! Just want to see if I'm having common normal molting, winter issues or if I could have a mite or bully issue.
So, I have 4 girls, (in order of rank) 1 barred rock, 2 RIR, and 1 cochin. All through December and January they were laying, slowed a little but I was getting at least 2 eggs a day. Past week I have had almost none!!! We are fine with this but I want to make sure it's not part of an issue. Our flock has been pretty peaceful, but one of the reds (#2 in ranks) has a bent dry/ white looking comb, and is missing neck feathers. A few days ago it was a little patch on the back of the neck, today I noticed it is now all the way around her head, pretty much her whole neck. I don't know if Febuary is a normal time to molt or if it's a bigger problem. Temps have been any where from 10-30 in the day. And 0-10 at night. They won't step in snow, and won't leave the coop if it's below 15 or so, and have spent a lot of time in the coop (stress???). I'm getting worried and looking for some ideas on poor Gilda with the missing feathers. And I'm hopeing we don't have mites or frost bite!!! Here's a pic. Thoughts please!!!!
So, I have 4 girls, (in order of rank) 1 barred rock, 2 RIR, and 1 cochin. All through December and January they were laying, slowed a little but I was getting at least 2 eggs a day. Past week I have had almost none!!! We are fine with this but I want to make sure it's not part of an issue. Our flock has been pretty peaceful, but one of the reds (#2 in ranks) has a bent dry/ white looking comb, and is missing neck feathers. A few days ago it was a little patch on the back of the neck, today I noticed it is now all the way around her head, pretty much her whole neck. I don't know if Febuary is a normal time to molt or if it's a bigger problem. Temps have been any where from 10-30 in the day. And 0-10 at night. They won't step in snow, and won't leave the coop if it's below 15 or so, and have spent a lot of time in the coop (stress???). I'm getting worried and looking for some ideas on poor Gilda with the missing feathers. And I'm hopeing we don't have mites or frost bite!!! Here's a pic. Thoughts please!!!!