Chicken feathers

[jmillersan]

hi - we recently bought 4 new chickens - I didn't look carefully enough or I wouldn't have

They are lacking neck feathers, they did lose some feathers in transit but seem to still be losing some (by the appearance of the ground, they actually are looking slightly better than when I first got them)

But i'm concerned because the neck feathers aren't growing back (1.5 weeks).
Out of 4 chickens I'm getting 2 eggs/day so they are laying reasonably well for the recent relocation (one started laying within 2 days)

I'm concerned about parasites- i'll check for mites again tonight but I don't see any sores on the birds. Any thoughts? Could this just be moulting?
We need to move them soon in with our other chickens because they are in an older fenced area (~24x 15) - really a decent space with 4 chickens and a coop for nesting.

'x15')

 

[007Sean]

They appear to be finishing up on molting to me!

 

[coach723]

Looks like pin feathers, and from the blotchy appearance they do look to be molting. I have one that just started molt a couple of weeks ago, sometimes the calendar means nothing to them! I would still give them a good going over for lice/mites to be safe, and check for any other issues that may have been missed. There are many articles on helping hens through molt, here is one:
https://farmingmybackyard.com/chickens-molting/
Upping the protein in the diet can help with feather growth. You likely will not see eggs until molt is finished.

 

[BuffOrps32]

They appear to be finishing up on molting to me!

X2
Also, it's possible that the ones that are laying are having feathers plucked. Do they have toys? Sometimes, birds will peck each other out of stress or boredom. This can be avoided by giving treats that are hung or toys with food in it. It's also possible they are eating feathers for protein. Are they being introduced to an existing flock or just new birds? What do you feed?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

The pin feathers indicate molt.

Doesn't mean there's no mites or lice present... check parting vent feathers down to the skin... after dark with a flashlight can be the most revealing in my experience.

I feed 20% protein flock raiser... it DOES indeed decrease molt recovery time.. as feathers are made from 90% protein and it's amino acids.

The ones not molting are probably the ones laying. Pretty girls.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

It's also possible they are eating feathers for protein.

A common misconception. I studied this and according to my research feathers, despite being made form 90% protein and it's amino acids are now in the form of keratin and only about 2% digestible protein. Though if they pluck a feather out with a bloody base... that can be enticing to them.

I do agree that stress and boredom can cause issues.

 

[BuffOrps32]

A common misconception. I studied this and according to my research feathers, despite being made form 90% protein and it's amino acids are now in the form of keratin and only about 2% digestible protein. Though if they pluck a feather out with a bloody base... that can be enticing to them.

I do agree that stress and boredom can cause issues.

Okay, thanks. I always thought that was what happened.