Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[RubySlippers]

Hi guys,

 

I'm quite worried about my chooks, and I'm not sure if I'm just overreacting, or if there's a problem.

 

They've stopped laying completely. The last egg I got was last Sunday and I hadn't had one for a couple of days before that either so between three hens I might have expected one or two. They're only 2 and a half years old so they shouldn't be out of eggs yet (they're Sussex stars). (oh, and there was a broken egg in the coop last week too, so obviously not a great shell)

 

That, on it's own, didn't worry me too much but this week there have also been feathers all over the place and Maggie is starting to look really bedraggled. I figured she was probably just moulting and again, didn't worry too much, but I started noticing the other two pecking at her if she went for the food they were eating. Anyway I took her into the kitchen last night and I've kept her indoors and separate from the other two and made sure she's warm and getting plenty of food and water. And I have her a bit of a bath as I noticed her pooper was a bit mucky. Her poop is watery too. She seems settled now, but maybe a little quiet.

 

So: 3 hens not laying (but two are well feathered)

1 hen with half her feathers missing, runny poop, and a little more anxious than usual.

 

(I just asked my sister if I'd covered all the symptoms and she point out that the feathers aren't *missing*, she knows exactly where they are: all over the garden! Anyhoo...)

 

Does this sound like anything sinister?

Should I do anything?

Help! I'm sad for my Maggie!

[Egluntyne]

It sounds as if they are heading for a moult, and this will impact on their laying.