Fluffy back / missing feathers?

[Sunshade82]

Hi all one of my 10 month old pullets has a spot on her back near the tail where it looks like the feathers are broken off and her underfluff is showing. She’s the only one like this.
My welsummer’s stats:
-She is eating and drinking fine.
-She is not laying yet but spends time in the nesting box practicing every day.
- her vent looks fine (a little white and poppy residue on her super fluffy feathers under vent..)
- vent/under wings clear for lice
- roost at night clear for mites
-she’s bottom rung in the chicken hierarchy but no fighting that I’ve seen
(we have no rooster btw)

 

[Chookchicken]

I’d say it’s just a fault with some of their feathers. one of my chickens had something similar, but after they moulted it fell off and went away. I am very interested in what courses it. It is no need for concern though.

 

[coach723]

Are all of your birds 10 months old? Are you sure you have no boy? (Sorry, have to ask, many don't really know how to tell). She may be getting feather picked, which often happens on the roosts, or you may have a dominant girl who is practicing mounting behaviour. Sometimes over crowding or boredom are the cause. Do some observing, see if you see anything going on, especially during the nightly going to bed time.

 

[Sunshade82]

Are all of your birds 10 months old? Are you sure you have no boy? (Sorry, have to ask, many don't really know how to tell). She may be getting feather picked, which often happens on the roosts, or you may have a dominant girl who is practicing mounting behaviour. Sometimes over crowding or boredom are the cause. Do some observing, see if you see anything going on, especially during the nightly going to bed time.

I’ve had them since day 3 so for sure on the age. I’ve seen the other 5 lay eggs and no one has saddle feathers, spurs or pointed feathers near their necks..
I wondered about feather picking...it doesn’t happen during the day besides an occasional peck when one of the dominant girls reminds her that they get first dibs on things.
sometimes at night I hear them squabble a little while settling down. I have a 4ft wide ladder type roost and 3 different levels for them to roost on. All 6 of them cram onto the highest roost and it’s a tight fit. I was planning on adding on another high roost for summer so they have breathing room. Maybe I’ll do it this week and see if that helps.

 

[Sunshade82]

I’d say it’s just a fault with some of their feathers. one of my chickens had something similar, but after they moulted it fell off and went away. I am very interested in what courses it. It is no need for concern though.

They’ve never molted before. Is it possible for that to be happening in spring? If so that would be a good thing They are still super fluffy and our temps are climbing...

 

[coach723]

It doesn't look like molt to me. Most birds will molt late summer, fall, some not til winter. It can vary some. Usually they don't start the annual molt til they are about 18 months old, but some will do it younger. There is no difference in summer or winter plummage, it's just a one year replacement of old, worn feathers.

 

[Sunshade82]

Ok bummer. I just watched my Austra White eating the feathers on my little welsummer’s back. She was making a sad noise but not trying to walk away. 10 minutes later my husband saw the Austra and golden buff doing it. Yet again she was just standing there making sad noises but not leaving. Why does she just sit there and take it? It’s not like they were chasing her...they just walked up and started munching.
We put a bunch of different enrichment things in their run to hopefully distract them but what should I do in the meantime? Should I put an apron on her until she heals? There isn’t any skin showing just the downy under feathers. Should I remove the munchers for a couple days and let them drop down the hierarchy ladder?

 

[coach723]

Redoing your roosts may help. Often more dominant birds will demand the higher ones. Depending on your set up maybe you can add a roost that is equal height but on the opposite side of the coop. She may just be a more submissive bird. You may need to add run space also, with more things for the lower birds to hide behind (but not get cornered behind) or outside roosts and places they can get up and away. More space is always better than less. One dominant bird can make a space too small. The actual behaviour of the birds is a much better indicator of enough space than any estimate on paper. Every group of birds is different.

 

[Sunshade82]

Redoing your roosts may help. Often more dominant birds will demand the higher ones. Depending on your set up maybe you can add a roost that is equal height but on the opposite side of the coop. She may just be a more submissive bird. You may need to add run space also, with more things for the lower birds to hide behind (but not get cornered behind) or outside roosts and places they can get up and away. More space is always better than less. One dominant bird can make a space too small. The actual behaviour of the birds is a much better indicator of enough space than any estimate on paper. Every group of birds is different.

Thanks I know just the spot for another roost. And even though by the book they have enough room in their run, we’ve been planning on enlarging it anyway so I can add more fun stuff without sacrificing floor space. I just didn’t want to do it this week
Things are usually pretty harmonious but I can tell 3 of my 6 chickens are dominant. They don’t usually pick feathers, but if they want something or to be in a certain spot they just take it and shove the other chicken out of the way. Then the 3 of them dust bathe together and growl at anyone who comes close by like a little chick clique.
I won’t tolerate bullies though. Hopefully the extra room helps

 

[TheAlrightyGina]

You can try giving them some protein heavy treats, like mealworms, too. Feather picking can be caused by low protein, and some extra will also help your girl with her lost ones.