Bare spots—hens mounting other hens?

[The Welch Chickens]

I have a flock of seven (2 year old) hens and nine (1 year old) hens. No roosters…we have had cockerels in the past, but not for almost a year.

Four of my younger hens have bare spots with broken feathers on the left side of their backs, and it has gotten more and more noticeable in the last few weeks.

The only reason I could think of is if one of my older girls is mounting them. Is this something to worry about?

 

[sourland]

It looks like one or more birds in your flock is feather pecking/plucking.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

I'm thinking feather plucking, but if you're seeing a hen mount them, that can be the issue as well. I've had that happen in my hen-only flocks as well. I recommend you put saddles (sometimes called "hen aprons") on them and possibly rehome the problem chicken.

 

[The Welch Chickens]

It looks like one or more birds in your flock is feather pecking/plucking.

I'm thinking feather plucking, but if you're seeing a hen mount them, that can be the issue as well. I've had that happen in my hen-only flocks as well. I recommend you put saddles (sometimes called "hen aprons") on them and possibly rehome the problem chicken.

Thanks for replying.
I did consider feather plucking, but it seems strange that it would only be on the left side of their backs. I had thought a hen mounting them a certain way seems more explanatory in order for those specific areas to be affected, but I guess the only way to find out would be to catch her in the act.