Mites or Mini Molt?

[fiddleleaffarm]

I have a “pet quality” silkie (meaning her crest was never a perfect little poof like some silkies!) and she’s looking a bit rough right now. She’s missing some crest feathers (which is not a lot bc there wasn’t a lot there to begin with), and she’s lost most of her beard feathers. Additionally, her chest seems thinner (feather wise). I checked her and everyone else closely for mites/lice. Neck, vent, under feathers, everywhere else too. She is the only one missing feathers and showed zero signs of bugs or nits. Her vent was very clean. Her chest is a little dry/flaky, but looks similar to another hens’ who was broody recently. Also checked the coop. Truly nothing I can see. I disposed of the coop and nest box bedding and dusted with Garden and Poultry Dust before putting new in. Added some of the dust to their in-run dust bath. But worried about dusting the birds if it’s not totally needed? Hen in question is about 10 months old, so wasn’t thinking a molt but could it be a mini molt? Or is it mites/lice after all? I wondered about bullying but haven’t witnessed any toward her. Any feedback is appreciated!! (Last photo is from June for reference, others are from last day or two).

 

[Wyorp Rock]

When was she last broody?
Looks more like a broody patch to me, this is where they pluck feathers so they have skin contact with eggs when they sit on them.

I agree, the skin looks a bit dry, but that may be normal this time of year. Her feathers are silkied, to me they look o.k., look for pin feathers coming in .

If she's been broody, often they go through a light or mini molt before coming back into lay.