Back feathers, broken vrs plucked?

[jenjscott]

I messed up and didn't keep any of my pullets out for show. The feathers on the back that are lost to the roosters, are they broken off or plucked out? In other words I guess, If I pull a pullet out of a breed pen, will she grow back her back feathers or will I have to wait for a molt?

 

[silkiechicken]

If there is any bit of a feather shaft in the spot where the feather grows out, you'll have to wait till next moult. If the feather is pulled out, it will come back sooner rather than later. Most of my roo damaged hens have feathers that are broken so are bare starting mid spring till they moult in fall.

That said, now my main roo is going on 6... he doesn't bother the ladies so much and haven't had a bare back in a good while.