Missing/falling out feathers

[Cheftim30]

Hi my girls are 14 month buff Orpingtons, I have a flock of 5 of them and 4 of them are losing feathers at the base of their tails. Some are growing back and some are broken. Is this normal in the summer or a product of pecking order perhaps? They all have been dirt bathing their tails where they are falling out. Is this something to be concerned about? Thanks.

 

[Eggcessive]

It is probably molting at this age. It occurs once a year after the age of 16-18 months. But if feathers are broken off, or you are not seeing discarded feathers in the coop and run, it may be feather picking and rooster damage. Do you see any new blue feather shafts growing in?