Bald back, no feathers in coop ! Help.

[Helensmith]

My husband has just left for work and said bye to the girls on his way out of the back garden, Rosemary (our Rhode Island Red) jumped up for a cuddle and my husband has nticed that she has lost a lot of feathers on her back. She has literally been pluck clean along her spine.

We only have 3 chickens in total and they arent bullying each other, they are all really nice girls. We havent noticed any feathers in the coop or run so its a mystery where they are. I can only suspect they have eaten them.

I know this can be a sign of a lack of protein.

Do I need to take Rosemary away from the others incase it is bullying or will this make it worse if I re-introduce her ?

Anyone else had this issue ?

 

[CheerioLounge]

The missing feathers were probably eaten, mine eat every loose feather they find. How old is she? Could it be moult? If you haven't seen any pecking by the other girls, I probably wouldn't bother separating her. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful, but this will bump you up on the list for someone who may have more help to read and respond.

Good luck &

from Twentynine Palms, CA You'll find a lot of friendly, knowledgeable folks here who love to help!!