Worm/mites? or worthless chickens

[josh]

My chickens look scragly. They have feathers out of their heads and the feathers on the rest of thier body don't look so good. What could be the problem and how to fix it? They don't lay real well either. One day 0 e g g s then 2 then 5 or 6. Could it be worms or something. What do I need to treat them. 2 are silkies. 4 bantams and 5 ??

 

[lleighmay]

Sounds to me like they are molting. Don't worry- they'll get over it and back to their egg-laying duties.

 

[LynneP]

Be sure they're getting a good commercial feed such as layer crumbles or pellets. They may benefit from extra protein too.

As you suggest, check for worms and other parasites so we can help you with that.

How old?
What is their diet and setup?

They're not worthless, they're chickens!

 

[josh]

I feed them a layer crumble. Feed them thier eggs shells back. They have fresh grass everyday. I don't know thier age. I bought them at auction. I have one I know is less than a year about 9 months bantam. I have 2 silkies young they have laid about 3 eggs total in a month might still be to young.

 

[josh]

They may benefit from extra protein too.

What would I feed for extra protein?