Depluming mites or first adult molt?

[SilverCreekChic]

Is the red hen the rooster's favorite or at the bottom of the pecking order?

Yes, one of his favorites and middle of the group. She is one of our hens we used to find, “frozen” in woods and not wanting to come to the run at feeding time. This behavior has stopped since our youngest flock members have matured. We suspected she was hiding from the rooster. Now that I realize this beavior has stopped as our new hens have matured, I am certain that is what she and our other Golden Comet were doing, hiding.

 

[Aprillemon]

It looks more like typical wear from having a rooster. If he were too rough you would likely see wounds. Sometimes roosters are able to mate without as much feather damage as they get older, so your hens may have better feathering in the future after they do molt. Once they get their new feathers in you can try using a chicken saddle to prevent feather loss on their backs. I personally haven’t had success using them because they either slip them off or the rooster still damages the wing feathers, but it is an option.

 

[SilverCreekChic]

It looks more like typical wear from having a rooster. If he were too rough you would likely see wounds. Sometimes roosters are able to mate without as much feather damage as they get older, so your hens may have better feathering in the future after they do molt. Once they get their new feathers in you can try using a chicken saddle to prevent feather loss on their backs. I personally haven’t had success using them because they either slip them off or the rooster still damages the wing feathers, but it is an option.

Thank you for your reassurance. I did try them, but they kept losing them in our wooded underbrush lol

 

[Aprillemon]

I’m glad I could help!