Any other symptoms, such as dirty vent feathers, weird poops, not eating or drinking, runny eyes, swelling around the eyes, nasal discharge, etc.? If you check my chicken info page on 'Health' here and read about mites and worming (including how-tos using Sevin and Ivermectin), it should give you more info on what it could or not be: http://home.earthlink.net/~velvetsparrow/VSChickHealth.htm That page also has some basic diagnostic tips that should help you narrow it down. Meanwhile, support the flock by offering them unflavored Pedialyte to drink (gives them an electrolyte boost, which helps any sick animal). If they aren't eating, ofer them goodies such as raw corn, diced grapes, diced tomatos, live mealworms, scrambled eggs, etc. to help get nutrition in them. You need to observe them a bit, because chickens don't show they are sick until they are REALLY sick, and by then it can be too late. So keep an eagle eye on them--are they eating normally and with appetite? Are they fluffed up? Laying eggs? Check everything you can,pick up each hen and give her a good visual and by hand going-over. If it isn't mites and instead is something irritating their facial skin only, it could be something they are repeatedly poking their faces into--check around for any poisons, toxic plants, bad feed (if it smells musty or has gotten wet, it could be carrying Aspergillosis, get rid of it pronto!), etc. Don't rule out nasty neighbors. There's nothing saying that the molt and something else, such as an illness, can't be going on at the same time coincidentally. Birds in molt can fall prey to illnesses easier, because their bodies are working so hard to grow feathers. Birds in molt can also use an added protein boost, so offer foods high in protein to help them grow new feathers. Good luck! Velvet ~:>

Ashley: The sudden change in temperature is what I would say is cause for the leaf drop. Crotons are notorious for leaf drop due to changes in growing conditions, that is why I have never wanted to try growing one. They like high humidity. I would say your croton will send out new leaves once it acclimates to the indoor environment. In Florida this year I saw Crotons growing outside in January, when nights can drop to the low 30's, so they can take some cold. Christopher

How much pruning are you talking about? Does it have any leaves now? Some of my early blooming japonicas decided to bloom, sleep and start finishing their bloomage now. I have not noticed new leaves opening here yet so you may just want to wait and continue watering to keep the soil as evenly moist as possible. I fertilize later this month; if you think there may be a problem, do not fertilize now as stressed plants should not be fertilized.

I would leave them alone until there is no more possible threats of frost, so like in April maybe. Reason is that even thought that dying foliage is ugly, it will protect the rest of the plant and root from more damage in future frosts. It's only early January and we could have several more frosts until spring. If you cut it now, what's left could be damaged again, even maybe down to the roots. So I'd just leave it for now, and cut it back in April. But do water it if we don't get any rain for 2-3 weeks. A well watered plant handles frosts better than a dry one.