Is this Molting or Pecking?

[IvanK]

Hi all!
A few weeks ago I acquired a small flock of barred rock poults with a few ameraucana hens. The guy who raised them told me that they were all together free run without problems....so I have them in the same area of my barn.
I was busy all day and just went to check water and feed and I was surprised to find my too largest ameraucanas missing feathers on their heads...the sides of their heads are virtually bald. There is no redness or bleeding but this is not how they were this morning....not even close.
So I figured maybe they started a post-move molt but I'm having trouble finding the feathers...maybe they got eaten after they fell off. Anyway, the one thing that I noticed that I haven't seen before is that they are both wet. At first I thought they'd been attacked and it was blood but after handling them it just seems like water. No blood at all.
I guess my questions is does this sound like a molt or is from pecking/fighting? Why would they be wet? I can't find anything online that explains this. Any ideas? If this doesn't sound like molting I can move them to a separate area but I'd rather not stress them out so soon again if I can avoid it.
Thanks very much!

 

[Squishychicken]

could you get pics?

 

[Dawnclucks22]

It sounds like it could be pecking, but I agree... get some pics please!

 

[aplummer101]

You need to observe them for awhile and make sure it is not pecking. Sounds to me that they are being pecked and chased around but you will need to observe to be sure. Sometimes any bird that sticks out will be pecked. Hope this helps.

 

[IvanK]

could you get pics?

Just ran out an took some. The lighting isn't great but I think you can see enough. You can see their hackle feathers are wet. Any ideas?

 

[IvanK]

You need to observe them for awhile and make sure it is not pecking. Sounds to me that they are being pecked and chased around but you will need to observe to be sure. Sometimes any bird that sticks out will be pecked. Hope this helps.

Agreed. There is one barred rock poult that is really trying to establish herself despite being immature. I wonder if she caused this. But I wonder why they are wet...I guess I was hoping it was molting and the wetness was some weird byproduct of it.
There is a smaller blue ameraucana that has no signs of abuse and I thought if anything she'd be the one getting picked on...that would be one argument against this being "pecking" but chickens probably don't see it this way. It may just be best to move them in the morning and keep the barred rocks by themselves.

 

[A.M. Eggs]

Are they shaking their heads? If they are it could be an illness.

 

[IvanK]

Are they shaking their heads? If they are it could be an illness.

No, not that I noticed...the only thing out of the ordinary is the feather loss and the wetness. Both of the hens in question decided to roost together away from the rest of the flock on the opposite side of their area. I'm leaning towards that they are stressed from being picked on today since they've isolated themselves. I'm hoping I'm wrong but I'll move them in the morning just to be safe.

 

[Dawnclucks22]

Just speculation, but do you think it could be from drinking with their muffs? Or are they wet all the time?

 

[IvanK]

Just speculation, but do you think it could be from drinking with their muffs? Or are they wet all the time?

Today is the only day they’ve been wet. I’ve seen them drink plenty of times before with no issues. But now that you bring up their muffs, I’m realizing this is what they’re missing! I only have one waterer out so maybe they’re being attacked by a barred rock when they go to drink...that could explain why they’re wet.