2 large bald patches down bantams backs. HELP!!!

[Jimmy H]

Once again I am coming to you all for advice on bald patches on my hens. My big Legbar has definite signs of pecking and after much observation I think she lets it happen she is the biggest by far and it seems she lets the others have the odd peck. My exchequer Leghorn has no scars and seems to be to be a prolific pecker and now my 2 bantams have very large bald patches righ down their backs. There is no obvious sign of pecking as the skin is very clean and smooth.

What could it be. We were recently away for a few days so they were confined to their hutch rather than their wider run could this be something to do with it?

Please help

 

[Impress]

How large is the hutch they were in? How many birds total? What size is their normal run and coop? This seems to be a classic case of overcrowding. Do you have a rooster or just hens?

 

[Jimmy H]

Just 4 hens,

The coop was described as ideal for 4/5 medium to large hens. so we have 2 big and 2 small. however they do very much love to free range but when we are away cannot let them out. There has been signs of pecking before but it was fine until 5 days where they were not let out. usually they are let out every other day.

To be fair I just caught one broody little hen and another in the laying box with one of the big ones was sitting on top of them both. So it maybe over crowding.

Is there an easy solution?