[joolz68]

Hi,ive just took on another 4 warren hens from a friend,one is not looking so great,i think they maybe about 12month old but the 2 that are darker in shade look healthy with big comb(which im thinking maybe they could be older and on their 2nd lay) the 2 lighter shaded ones im sure should by now have bigger combs than what they have  :unsure:they also have white ear lobes? im wondering if any of you know if maybe they have a fungul infection? as you can see in the photo 1 of them has a bald neck aswell,she aslo seems to have a big crop  :(ive covered them all in diatom,shringed some olive oil into her beak and given them some scrambled egg incase they need a protein boost,not sure what else i can do to help with a faster recovery,any advise please ,thanks julie x

[ehs284]

I stand to be corrected, but these look as if they're moulting judging by the pattern of feather loss. White ears as a problem is something I've not heard of and a small comb by itself not a problem. For Favus you'd expect to see an area at the bottom of the comb which has gone a pale colour and there would be lesions on the comb (and wattle and legs). I'd suggest keep up the high protein diet as they need it for new feathers but don't give oil as it is more likely to cause digestive problems than be of help. Don't handle too much if they are moulting as the new feather growths don't lie flat and cause discomfort if pushed back into the bird.

[joyfull]

I agree they are going through a moult and will soon be back to looking happy 

[helens-hens]

Hens can get a white fungus, Favus, on the skin near the ears. It can be cured using an athlete's foot remedy that contains Daktarin.

Having said that it doesn't seem to bother them too much...

[joolz68]

Thanks for all your reassuring replys,i do tend to think the worst  they are all eating and drinking so thats good.I did notice that there was feather pecking going on so when i took a closer look the balder one had a very blooming bum.I bathed bum and purple sprayed her  ive also moved them to their own  bigger run as they wasnt having a great welcome from my other warrens .ive had 3 days of being a chicken bouncer and erecting more  new coops but they are worth it once again thanks xx julie