Mites, feather picking or something else?

[Cheekychook12]

I have four adult hens who started losing their head and neck feathers, at first I assumed it was feather pecking because one isn’t missing any feathers, but after seeing some pictures on the internet of mite damage I’m not so sure
What’s going on here?
I treated them for mites a couple days ago and gave them much more space and free range time to hopefully help

 

[User690263]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/possible-mites-late-season-molt-or-being-bullied.1649708/

 

[Cheekychook12]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/possible-mites-late-season-molt-or-being-bullied.1649708/

I haven’t got any roosters that are mounting them, only juveniles who haven’t been introduced yet, and I don’t believe it’s moulting as the condition of feathers around her neck seems shredded in a sense
It’s there another point of that post I’m missing?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have four adult hens who started losing their head and neck feathers, at first I assumed it was feather pecking because one isn’t missing any feathers, but after seeing some pictures on the internet of mite damage I’m not so sure
What’s going on here?
I treated them for mites a couple days ago and gave them much more space and free range time to hopefully help

It looks like feather picking.

What do you feed, how much space do you have?

If you have 1 that is pristine with no missing feathers, then likely that is the culprit. Observe the flock and take note of when the picking is being done - roosting, at the food/water stations, during resting periods during the day.

The offender may need a pair of pinless peepers.

I haven’t got any roosters that are mounting them, only juveniles who haven’t been introduced yet, and I don’t believe it’s moulting as the condition of feathers around her neck seems shredded in a sense
It’s there another point of that post I’m missing?

 

[Cheekychook12]

It looks like feather picking.

What do you feed, how much space do you have?

If you have 1 that is pristine with no missing feathers, then likely that is the culprit. Observe the flock and take note of when the picking is being done - roosting, at the food/water stations, during resting periods during the day.

The offender may need a pair of pinless peepers.

Just your general layer pellets and whatever they pick up while foraging
The run is about 6x3 m in size and they free range about every day in my yard which is huge, not sure the actual size but I could fit another 3 houses on it
She usually isn’t the one doing the picking, surprisingly, they kind of all do it , I think she isn’t missing any because she’s at the top of the order
The picking mostly happens during food times

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Just your general layer pellets and whatever they pick up while foraging
The run is about 6x3 m in size and they free range about every day in my yard which is huge, not sure the actual size but I could fit another 3 houses on it
She usually isn’t the one doing the picking, surprisingly, they kind of all do it , I think she isn’t missing any because she’s at the top of the order
The picking mostly happens during food times

The picking mostly happens during food times

Provide some extra feed stations, see if this helps.

Do you feed free choice - meaning you put out enough feed for them in the morning or do you limit feed?

 

[Cheekychook12]

Provide some extra feed stations, see if this helps.

Do you feed free choice - meaning you put out enough feed for them in the morning or do you limit feed?

I don’t limit feed, they don’t seem to eat much and prefer to forage anyway
By picking during food times I more meant when foraging or fed scraps, they’re pretty good at taking turns at the feeder

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I don’t limit feed, they don’t seem to eat much and prefer to forage anyway
By picking during food times I more meant when foraging or fed scraps, they’re pretty good at taking turns at the feeder

Oh, I see.
Well, I'm not sure how you can deter a lot of picking when they are foraging.
When you give scraps or treats, spread those far and wide, this may make them spread out a bit more.

I provide at least 2 feed stations for my flocks, if not a few girls can get pecky at the others, having multiple stations can help keep everyone fed and happier (most of the time).

 

[Cheekychook12]

Oh, I see.
Well, I'm not sure how you can deter a lot of picking when they are foraging.
When you give scraps or treats, spread those far and wide, this may make them spread out a bit more.

I provide at least 2 feed stations for my flocks, if not a few girls can get pecky at the others, having multiple stations can help keep everyone fed and happier (most of the time).

I’ll add another feed station and hope that helps along with adding a rooster and other birds to shake up the pecking order