Hen pulling feathers

[plfreitag]

Hi all:

I have a Black Star hen who seems to be pulling her feathers out...I don't see any of my other birds being mean to her, but she is half bald now and I don't know why. I went in the coop this morning and there were probably 20 feathers from this hen on the floor. Some are pulled out down to the shaft; others aren't. She's still laying and acting fine...no cowering, no diarrhea, no indication at all that she's sick.

I'm at a loss. Does anyone have any ideas?

Trisha the confused in MO

 

[Kitty&Eva]

could she have mites? still don't know if that would make her pull out her own feathers though.
i've heard there's bitter stuff you can spray to prevent pecking ... i don't have any experience though- good luck!

 

[SpottedCrow]

Where is she pulling from?
If it's from her belly, she may be trying to go broody.

 

[plfreitag]

Oh yeah, it's all over her belly. She's been at it since January a little at a time. She's almost naked on her tummy.