Does gentle pecking mean bugs?

[325512]

My hens are 15 mo. old and losing feathers. I know that they might be starting into their first molting. However, I see them gently pecking around the face and head area, and the one being pecked allows it. I checked for signs of mites and see no black dots on their skin. Are they eating small feathers or bugs small enough that I cannot see them?

 

[GitaBooks]

My chickens do that to one another sometimes and it hasn't led to any injuries so far. I don't really know why they do it, I know my birds sometimes have mites, especially during the winter, but if you haven't noted them then the infestation isn't bad. I would guess they are just getting a little piece of something off their face.

My hen even gives her favorite rooster a little peck on the cheek sometimes.