Are my chickens moulting?

[hjenkings]

Look to see if there are pinfeathers (new feathers coming in) if so, I would say a molt has started.

Would any of the skin go very pink? One of my hens is losing feathers on her chest, I can see the pin feathers I believe but there is an area that is looking pink & a bit irritated. One other hen, we have 3, has also started losing chest feathers & a few are starting to go at the top of her legs but her skin is pale & fine. We got our girls just coming up a year ago so this would be their first moult & our first time dealing with it! I’ve tried for ages to get a decent picture but unfortunately the pink area is extremely difficult to photograph as her remaining feathers are covering it up. I will attach the best I could manage in case it helps in any way. Thanks

 

[sourland]

To me it looks as if she is being feather pecked/plucked by a flock mate.

 

[hjenkings]

I can’t see any pin feathers, the area looks like it’s just been plucked. One of our other hens has started losing feathers on her belly, again can’t see any pin feathers & the area is very red. They have mite treatment in their water once a week plus mite powder in their house. One difference I have noticed is that recently one of the hens seems to be cracking an egg nearly every day by laying on it. She then obviously has egg all over her. Could she be pulling her feathers out by trying to clean the egg off? Another thing I’m wondering is whether they are possibly bored? Any advice greatly appreciated

 

[hjenkings]

To me it looks as if she is being feather pecked/plucked by a flock mate.

 

[hjenkings]

If she is being plucked by another in the flock how do I stop it?

 

[hjenkings]

How do I stop that? I’ve not noticed any bullying

 

[hjenkings]

Could it be that they are broody so pulling the feathers out to get the warmth of their skin to the eggs?