Feather loss on saddle area, molting or something else?

[dianneS]

I just got a few hens about six months ago from someone else. They are all about two years old. They've always been healthy and look good. I've noticed a lot of feathers in the hen house recently and two of them are losing a lot of feathers on the saddle area. All the other chickens look fine. Is this just seasonal molting or could it be a disease? These hens are a mixed breed banty and I have several other breeds as well as some baby chicks. I don't want an outbreak of disease, should I be concerned?

 

[speckledhen]

Do you have a rooster? The saddle area is one place the rooster pulls out feathers during mating with his claws and/or spurs. They could also be molting this time of year.

 

[dianneS]

Yes, I have two roosters.