is Kitty pulling her back feathers out?

[urbanchixpdx]

My (little over a year old) Silver Laced Wyandotte Kitty is starting to lose back feathers. I suspect she's pulling them out, but I have yet to see her peck at them or groom herself to the point of pulling them out. It's starting to get worse (more skin exposed), and with the summer starting, I don't want her to get a sunburn. It looks pretty red already. I did put some sunscreen on her a few times when it was really hot this week. Someone did suggest to me that she might have mites and to get some sevin dust to dust her in. I haven't seen any of the other chickens pecking at her either. She seems totally fine. Eating and drinking normally, laying, dust-bathing, etc. My other chickens (two buffs) do not have this problem.

Here are some pics:

Any advice? Thanks!

 

[enola]

Do you have a rooster ? If you do, he is probably pulling the feathers out when he tries to breed her.

If you don't have a rooster, then you have a feather picker. One of her flock members is pulling the feathers out. I doubt if she is pulling her own feathers out.

I have a feather picker and as soon as I can figure out which one it is, she is going to get peepers put on her.

 

[urbanchixpdx]

Quote:
No, I do not have a rooster. I never see any of the others pulling her feathers out, but perhaps they're doing it at night or in the morning before they're let out to range?

Besides using a chicken saddle, what can I do to discourage feather picking? Would rubbing something like Apple-Bitter on her back-feathers help? Thanks for the reply!

 

[enola]

I put pine tar on my poor pullet that is being bullied.