Feather Loss

[cdunmire66]

I am experiencing feather loss with 4 of my 5 hens. I have a rooster, but we got him after this problem started which was in late winter. I tried to boost their protein by giving them sunflower seeds but that has not helped. We have one hen who seems to be the dominant but I cannot tell if she is picking on the others because at times it seems they all peck at each other. The one who lost most of her tail feathers (see 1st picture), is a little more aggressive. She bites me and sometimes chases me and will act like she is going to flog me. I am at a loss as to what I need to do. Their coop is about 4x4 with plenty of roosting space. They have 4 nesting boxes but only use 1 of them and they are free range all day long. Do you think it is molting or something else? They are a little over a year old.

 

[earlybird10842]

If you see any blood, or actually see the mean hen picking feathers out, then you have a problem. Otherwise, it just looks like a molt.

 

[cdunmire66]

I have not seen any blood nor have I actually noticed the dominant one pulling the feathers out. They seem to pick at themselves a lot but that is probably natural. I am new to raising chickens - how long does a molt usually last? Is there anything I can do to help them grow the feathers back?