Losing Feathers

[firstti4_12]

I have two hens that are losing feathers. I did not think much about it when the first one was losing them because I thought maybe it was due to the rooster mounting her, but now that it has gotten worse I see that it could be something else. Also my black and white hen is starting to have the same thing starting with her neck and bottom back area. If anyone knows what might be causing this on the wings of my Rhode Island Red and my black and white hen, please advise what I should do.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That's from the rooster mating.

 

[rebrascora]

Almost certainly mating damage. How old is your "rooster"? If he is actually a cockerel (ie under a year old) and this is his first spring, expect the feather damage to get worse before it gets better.
I see duck feet in one of the photos.... do you have any drakes? If so, I would advise keeping it/them separate, especially if they are also adolescent and may not have enough female ducks to keep him/them occupied. Drakes will try to mate chickens with adverse, even fatal health risks to the hens as their anatomy is not compatible.

 

[firstti4_12]

Thank you both for the information. I am going to separate them and see if they start to grow back. Thank you Rebrascora for the advice on the ducks as well. Right now the oldest drake that we have which is about 2 years old does not try to mate with any of them. The youngest one that is about 8 months old though has been trying to so we are keeping him separated. We're raising 2 ducklings that hopefully will be female and if not we will have to figure out something else.