Is this normal feathering?

[OasiVerde]

I have six adult chickens who all have this different feathering on the end of their backs. Is this normal? I can;t see any parasites. They are eating, drinking and laying. And look overall healthy. I googled this, but wasn't able to find an answer.
TIA

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Do you have a rooster?

 

[OasiVerde]

Do you have a rooster?

No

 

[PirateGirl]

Is there someplace in the coop that maybe their backs rub when when they walk under/through? Is the roost close to the ceiling or another object? Is the pop door too short?

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

What are you feeding your flock? Feathers need protein so a protein rich chicken feed like grower or Flock Raiser is a good choice, offering oyster shell in a separate container. Keep treats to a minimum as they dilute the intake of their required feed.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Are they MOLTiNG?????

 

[sylviethecochin]

Methinks someone's eating the ends of the feathers. Not surprising, since the Wyandotte breed is noted for being a bit aggressive. You might want to increase your coop/run space, or get something to distract them. For my purposes, a rooster is a very good distraction, but I have a lot more hens than you do.

Moult would result in losing lots of feathers, but you would see new feathers or pinspikes (except under factory farming conditions)

Mite damage can result in shredded feathers, but it's generally not localised to the back like that.

A rough rooster would have feathers missing from their shoulders, and they would very likely have a bald patch just below the comb.

Some chickens have fragile feathers, but that's usually most common in Lavenders, Frizzles, and Frazzles.

 

[coach723]

I think you either have a dominant hen who is doing mounting behavior, or they are feather picking. Not enough space and boredom are the most common causes.

 

[OasiVerde]

Is there someplace in the coop that maybe their backs rub when when they walk under/through? Is the roost close to the ceiling or another object? Is the pop door too short?

There is nothing they can walk under in the coop. The roost is as high as shown on the picture. Not near the ceiling. And the door is a regular sized door.

 

[OasiVerde]

What are you feeding your flock? Feathers need protein so a protein rich chicken feed like grower or Flock Raiser is a good choice, offering oyster shell in a separate container. Keep treats to a minimum as they dilute the intake of their required feed.

They get 20% layer feed and I just started to put out oyster shell in a separate bowl last week. I don;t think they have eaten from that yet. They are free range in the afternoon and I give them a handful of meal worms to get them back in the coop. Do you think I should not do the mealworms? Or less?