This is useful - I have nine chickens including one roo. Four red stars, two black stars, and three Ameracaunas (including the roo). They are about a year old (we got them as pullets, not chicks - the roo was an accident) and have not gone through a full adult molt. The hybrids are excellent layers and continue to give us five or six eggs per day generally. The Ameracaunas have been less reliable layers. They're flightier, smaller, and their egg laying is a little unpredictable, especially now in winter. In addition, one of them has lost some feathers around her tail/back as mentioned above, the downy parts especially. I took a look at her more closely and see no injury, no vent issues, no mites as far as I could tell - since we didn't get them as chicks they are a bit harder to handle - lesson learned there. But she's eating, active, bright eyed, drinking, etc. I was thinking it was either (or a combination) of the roo being awkward or choosing her more frequently (I haven't gotten that sense but I'm not observing all day everyday) and/or she seems to be lower in the pecking order and may be getting plucked/picked at. They have a very large free-range area plus run and coop. I have recently started feeder her a little additional food separate from the others before they roost. I am also going to put out a higher protein all-flock crumble for them all to have a little extra boost (plus oyster shell) plus RopaPoultry Oregano Oil supplement. I'm hoping this will help all of them but especially the Ameracauna. If there are any other thoughts I'd take them!
