Last Sunday I got 5 RIR pullets, approx 6 mos old. They were overcrowded in their former home and on a diet of layer pellets. I noticed that one of the girls is missing feathers on her throat. One of the other girls is missing some around her ears (I assumed that was from a roo?) and the others look fine. I have no idea if this feather loss is due to pecking, molting or something else? Thoughts?
I would say it's pecking. Especially if the backs of their heads are missing feathers. My roo keeps my hens backs and heads pretty bald. I've had to use "saddles" for their backs. Moulting usually happens in the fall.
