[dchubbuk]

I have been unwell and have been in and out of hospital recently .Today i wondered down to my hens and have noticed that the head hen's face &wattles has gone grey/white it's not mites we have checked the other  hens and they r fine .my head hen is still eating and keeping the other hens in check she doesn't  appear to be in any discomfort or pain my husband  thinks it's old age she is four and a blackrock hen so i would be grateful to any response and advice to this .  

[orchardlady]

You mention that you have checked the other hens for mite. Remember that the dreaded Red Mite doesn't live on the birds but in the very fabric of the house so do a quick reckie this evening when it's completely dark. Rub  a white piece of fabric or a tissue along the underside of the perches. If it comes off with a few red spots you have mite.

However I personally think that it's probably not mites but a combination of old age and the time of year. She is a hybrid hen that produce lot's of eggs during their youth and then slows as they get older. She has probably not laid for a while now partially due to the shortening days and mostly due to her age.

[Aunt Sally]

Is she moulting ?

[joyfull]

have just deleted your other post as it was about the same thing