Mites or bullying?

[Tervuren]

Photos attached. My two pullets have the same pattern of feather loss on their backs. Their feathers are missing and damaged. I have observed them squatting for the older hens and being walked on and kinda briefly mounted by them. I’ve looked over my black pullet Beatrix and can’t find evidence of mites but I’ve also never had mites soooo I’m posting her pics for more experienced folks to examine. My other pullet Esther is a little roadrunner and I can’t get a good look at her. The 3 hens have good healthy plumage as far as I can tell.

 

[alinas2010]

To me, it looks like this hen is getting her feathers yanked on. These little areas circled are where you can see her feathers got yanked on and little pieces ripped off:

that area is pretty common to have feathers yanked at. You can also see where biting at them is happening up here and where some of them have been broken off:

I would check well for lice, also if you haven’t just to be sure. Lice eggs will be at the base of the feather shafts in white clumps. Mites like warm areas like under the wings. It can be helpful to look at areas like the vent for lice and mites, too.

You might try some saddles on them to help protect their feathers.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have observed them squatting for the older hens and being walked on and kinda briefly mounted by them.

Feather damage due to being mounted.

How many hens and how much space do you have?

 

[Tervuren]

Feather damage due to being mounted.

How many hens and how much space do you have?

5 hens, 115 sqft with branches, pallets, and such to provide more vertical space and hiding spots. I’ve seen the mounting in the middle of the yard while they’re free ranging more than in the run…. My hen who was previously at the bottom of the pecking order is the one doing the damage. (She’s a Bielefelder and the two with feather damage are Legbar crosses so much smaller) I’ve separated the two victims into a chicken tractor. Will see how that goes and then if no improvement the bully Bielefelder gets solitary time. I’ll buy two hen saddles too.

@alinas2010 thank you for pointing out the damage in the photos! That’s what I had noticed and maybe kind of silly but I wasn’t sure if mites could damage feathers like that. I have looked through everyone’s feathers and no signs of mites. Although bullying is a pain to deal with (I feel like a psychologist for chickens at times lol), I much prefer this to trying to get rid of mites!