I have a RIR hen that is a year old. About 4-5 months ago I started noticing feathers missing around the back and sides of her neck. Since I had seen my silkie roo mount her once, I thought that was what was causing it. His favorite girl is my D'uccle who he "gets with" all day long, but she isn't missing any feathers, so I have ruled him out. I am pretty sure they are being plucked since she has broken feathers on her back, but I don't know if she is doing it or one of the other chickens is doing it when they roost. None of my other hens are missing any feathers, nor do they have any broken feathers, as she does. I would consider her the "second in command" to my barred rock, who is a week younger, but they were raised together. They all get along, and I have never seen any other chickens even attempt to go after her. I have checked her for any signs of mites and/or lice and see nothing but new feather buds coming in. A couple weeks ago it looked like the feathers were all growing back, but now they are all plucked again, and the front of her neck is red. Is there something I can put over her neck to keep her or another hen from plucking her feathers? I saw on another post somebody mentioned "blue coat", what is that? She used to be so pretty, but now she looks so scraggly and sad. Right now I have 9 chickens roosting in an 8x9 ft coop, they free range all day, so I am pretty sure they are not over crowded. They all get Layena (whch I want to change when the bag runs out), they get a little scratch (1/2 scoop in the summer), and there is BOSS all on the ground from the bird feeders. Thanks
