Advice Needed: I dont think it's an emergency, but...

[ChickyCh00k]

I have 8 pullets that will be a year old on Sept 14th. At the moment they all have dry-ish looking skin on their faces. It's something I haven't seen before. They free range all day, but also have free choice access to Nutrena 18% Feather Fixer Feed in their run, oyster shell, grit, clean water, very few treats (only a couple of times a month do we give them anything other than their feed), and they dust bathe regularly. I check them often for lice/mites. They are acting normal and laying well. Is this an early sign of preparing for their first moult? Or should I be concerned it might be something else? Is there any thing I should apply to the dry areas? I appreciate any insight!

 

[sourland]

Perhaps a factor of the hot weather. To me they look to be in apparent good health.

 

[-Chanticleer-]

I put a little Vaseline on mine when there combs start to look dry. Just a enough to rub in and they don’t mind it.

 

[ChickyCh00k]

Perhaps a factor of the hot weather. To me they look to be in apparent good health.

I put a little Vaseline on mine when there combs start to look dry. Just a enough to rub in and they don’t mind it.

Thank you, both!

 

[Tonyroo]

They maybe getting ready to molt and the white on there face is skin exfoliation.

 

[ChickyCh00k]

They maybe getting ready to molt and the white on there face is skin exfoliation.

I wondered about that. I thought maybe they wouldn't molt this year since they hatched last fall, and I read that the first molt is typically around 18 mos of age.

 

[RoyalChick]

They look fine to me.
Mine sometimes get dry skin - though not as badly as I do - they don’t love being handles so I have left it alone.

 

[ChickyCh00k]

They look fine to me.
Mine sometimes get dry skin - though not as badly as I do - they don’t love being handles so I have left it alone.

That's reassuring, thank you! And I'm with you on the dry skin - my legs get so itchy!