Chickens plucking their feathers, what !?!?!

[seemaale]

I WENT TO MY CHICKEN COOP THIS MORNING TO CLEAN IT OUT AND THERE WERE A BUNCH OF FEATHERS FROM TWO OF MY CHICKENS ON THE GROUND. ALL THE CHICKENS WERE THERE AND THEY LOOKED THE SAME, BUT I AM NOT SURE WHAT IT MEANS WHEN THERE ARE MULTIPLE FEATHERS ON THE GROUND. THEY ARE ALMOST FOUR MONTHS OLD. ARE THEY ABOUT TO LAY EGGS ?

 

[Akrnaf2]

They are probably molting.

 

[blumenmadchen]

I have been having the same thing, so I'm following. I am concerned that one or more of the chickens is getting picked on, but they seem to get along when I watch them.

 

[Akrnaf2]

Feather picking can be a result of some reasons, the major two are:
1. Overcrowding in the coop.
2. Protein deficiency in the food they get.
So if you keep your floc not overcrowded, and you give some extra animal protein( crushed boiled egg, tuna fish,shredded cheese,or some dry cat food, the problem will go away.
You must take in mined that feather loss can be du to some external parasites,
( lice,mites etc,,) or by some "rough love" of an over enthusiastic rooster.