Case of missing tail feathers....

[beachchick]

I've looked through several BYC threads and maybe I have the answer - but not sure.

I have six 13 wk. pullets. Five have one or no tail feathers anymore. There are alot of feathers strew throughout their hen house and run. Every once in a while they will eat a small feather off the ground when eating treats but don't seem to be eating them for food. They all seem to be getting along. They do "argue" with one another when it's time to roost for bedtime (they all want to sit in the same spot).

Can anyone solve this mystery???

 

[shuizar209]

They might be picking on eachother when you are not looking.... That would be my guess....

 

[Ridgerunner]

The first link describrs molting. You may be familiar with the process, but just in case, you might look to see if you see a pattern on yours. Some people think molting only occurs in the fall/winter. Not true. Molting can occur any time.

Mississippi State describes molting
http://msucares.com/poultry/management/poultry_feathers.html

This Kansas State site discusses feather loss. You may get some clue as to what is happening at this site.

Kansas State feather loss
http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/lvstk2/mf2308.pdf

If it is not molting and is feather picking, you probably should read Basicliving's thread.

Feather picking/cannabalism
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=98165

I went through this progression hoping you see a pattern and that it is molting. Since all but one have no tail feathers, it sounds like you may have a feather picker. I hope not.

Good luck!

 

[beachchick]

Thanks for the info and websites. I will check them out right now.

 

[cmom]

Sometimes the birds go through mini molts where you may or may not notice some feather loss on the birds but see feathers in the coop or run.

 

[cluckaway]

My two year old Buff Orpington hen has been molting but she is not growing any feathers around her tail. She is also not wanting to come out of the coop . IS she sick? Her sister is laying and seems to have finished her molt.
We have warm and then cold weather in Oklahoma.. Last night I saw them in the coop and one was sitting on top of the other. Perhaps they are trying to stay warm?