Whats wrong with my chickens?

[Jpage]

Hi everyone! I've had chickens all my life and have successfully raised many from eggs. However, I have never experienced this-
Here in QLD it's just all the sudden gotten cold. My chickens (three hens and one rooster) have stopped laying eggs (hens), they are losing feathers and are not eating.

They refuse to come down off their perch at all, they all sleep there day and night and will only eat if I go up and hand-feed them.
I'm very worried about them, they are losing weight and not coping.

Please, if anyone knows what could be going on I'd love to know.

 

[Ribh]

Hi everyone! I've had chickens all my life and have successfully raised many from eggs. However, I have never experienced this-
Here in QLD it's just all the sudden gotten cold. My chickens (three hens and one rooster) have stopped laying eggs (hens), they are losing feathers and are not eating.

They refuse to come down off their perch at all, they all sleep there day and night and will only eat if I go up and hand-feed them.
I'm very worried about them, they are losing weight and not coping.

Please, if anyone knows what could be going on I'd love to know.

Hi @Jpage. Also a Queenslander. Your birds have probably begun their molt [the feather loss, & lack of eggs ~ weight loss & lack of appetite are also common during a molt] Check for worms, lice & mites. Try a little cracked corn before bedtime as it will help keep them warm overnight. Some extra protein will also help as they grow out their new feathers: tuna or salmon, meat scraps etc.

It may be something else of course. Someone else may have other suggestions.