Hen losing feathers and not laying

[karmamonster]

I just got two three year old hens four days ago and one of them has feathers missing on its neck and I think they might be growing back, but I'm not sure if they are molting or getting them pulled out by my other chicken or the other chicken it lived with before. It is also missing feathers on its chest and a little tiny bit on its side. Could it be the chicken is bored and pulling them out for no reason, I noticed a few feathers every now and then in the cage. And since I got them neither of them has laid any eggs , I'm going to start building the coop today but I have no nesting boxes, is this why they aren't laying.

 

[CJ427]

sounds like they are picking on each other. ive been having the same problem, especially on the side. they peck at each others sides at night when fighting for a place on the roost. as for the other spots, it is most likely a dominance issue. my chickens go for each others backs. the stress of all the fighting is probably whats preventing the egg laying. make sure they arent crammed in too small of a space and let them free range, or they get bored and peck each other. also, you can buy a medicine that coats on the areas the peck each other. it tastes bad and they dont like it so it will let the feathers grow back in before the skin gets irritated and turns red, which will make it be pecked more. i use "rooster booster- pick no more" from Tractor Supply Co.

 

[karmamonster]

Thanks so much and yeah I got them in too small of an area right now, we are supposed to be building a chicken coop today so hopefully that will help