Broken off feathers

[mountainlover]

I thought one chicken was pecking on the others. But now all 4 hens have this going on. Coop and run are huge and I only have 4 so not overcrowded. Had chickens for 8 years so not new. We recently moved the entire coop and run to a new town, so 3 months ago they were stressed. One chicken lays a wrinkled egg every couple weeks. Are they pecking each other or themselves or is this molting that doesn’t look like any molting I’ve ever seen? I’ve never had mites or lice, and I checked their skin, didn’t see anything. We don’t have a rooster. This started at the bottom of their backs near the tail but has now progressed to shoulders on some. Just broken off feathers. They are laying 3-4 eggs every day and otherwise seem happy.

 

[nuthatched]

What's their diet? Most mites are microscopic or live in the coop and not on the bird so you wouldn't likely see them.

 

[mountainlover]

They eat layer feed, oyster shell, mealworms, and scraps

 

[mountainlover]

Does anyone thing this is just molting? Do I need to take better pictures?

 

[aart]

Does anyone thing this is just molting?

If the feathers are broken with part still attached, and there are no pin feathers....
...it's not likely to be molting.

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

I thought one chicken was pecking on the others. But now all 4 hens have this going on. Coop and run are huge and I only have 4 so not overcrowded. Had chickens for 8 years so not new. We recently moved the entire coop and run to a new town, so 3 months ago they were stressed. One chicken lays a wrinkled egg every couple weeks. Are they pecking each other or themselves or is this molting that doesn’t look like any molting I’ve ever seen? I’ve never had mites or lice, and I checked their skin, didn’t see anything. We don’t have a rooster. This started at the bottom of their backs near the tail but has now progressed to shoulders on some. Just broken off feathers. They are laying 3-4 eggs every day and otherwise seem happy.

Did u ever figure out what is going on?
I have similar issues with 3 of my girls!

 

[Mrs. K]

Check for parasites. They will dig themselves holes, trying to get rid of them.

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

Check for parasites. They will dig themselves holes, trying to get rid of them.

I bought some magnifying glasses and don't see anything. They eat and act normal. But I'm worried others are going to start losing their tail feathers.
Should I try treating them with ivermectin 1% drops?

 

[aliris]

Interesting! I bought two young, laying hens from a store and discovered them both with this problem. That was 3 weeks ago and at home with me, they have regrown very soft, silky feathers where the problem was. One hen was not laying, and it's possible it was young, but I think she was unwell. She just started laying. I inspected and never saw anything and didn't really do anything but they have both recovered. I do think it was something and would love to hear if anyone knows.... ty!

 

[Chey1214]

I am also having this problem post ivermectin I can’t figure it out