[loobysinclair]

hi there,
am new to hen keeping and adore my girls, which i have had since last summer

Over the past couple of weeks they are getting very bald - I wonderered if someone was being a bully, however now i am not sure.  The baldness is especially around their back-sides, but also a little around the sides.  

I have wondered about mites, so have dusted them about 4 nights ago - I wasnt sure how to do it, but dusted as well as i could before they became too agitated.

they are still laying just fine, which i find interesting.

Would really appreciate some help from someone - have no-one i know to ask.
thanks ever so much for your help.
lorraine

[WG.]

Hi Looby and WELCOME.  I don't do chooks, sorry.

[purplebat]

Hi and welcome from me; could they be getting broody? they'll pluck their feathers underneath to keep the eggs warm, if so, nothing to worry about but get ready for some seriously stroppy females

[richyrich7]

Hi and welcome, your hens could just be moulting, quite normal and usually hens moult one area at a time from what I've seen, eg neck. is there any new feathers showing, they will look like sharp quills for a start.

[loobysinclair]

hi,
these replies are very interesting and reassuring - fingers crossed that one or both could be correct  
want the best for my hens and dont like to see them not looking their best.
thanks guys.