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

I agree dchall, I have never seen seed that didn't have some percentage of germination, but you didn't answer the implied question: Under ideal temperature and moisture conditions, why wouldn't at least some seed germinate? Based on the OP's post, soil contact for moisture maintenance is not an issue as the OP mixed some seed into the soil and spread some on top. Edit. Just an afterthought. Where did you get the soil that you used? Do you know What that soil's history is? This post was edited by yardtractor1 on Thu, May 15, 14 at 23:49

You have a Phalaenopsis. You haven't killed it. Given good care it will grow another flowering spike. There is a mountain of information on this site. Just put Phalaenopsis in the search box at the top of this discussions page to find. Should be some very good complete culture notes written for Hawaii on the net. Here is a link that might be useful: thyme.tyger's orchid