MITES? Over-preening? Moulting???

[ChickNanny13]

What are you feeding?
You may want to up the protein as suggested by @sourland. I feed Flock Raiser (20%) with Oyster Shells in a separate dish when the girls start to lay, oh grit in another dish since mine stay confined.
Another group of girls I had went through that feather picking/eating when they were on Layer, changed to Flock Raiser after reading several threads on feeds. Never had another issue. You can also feed protein treats; mealworms, BOSS, tuna, etc ... However I learn also too much "treats" no matter how healthy has its own set of issues.
Another group of girls were healthy but light weight, again after reading several threads and advice from members, I stopped all treats (experiment) and just fed their FF, tossing some dry feed as "treats" at close up. They gained weight and never missed their "healthy" treats (veggies & fruits).

 

[Arbutus Peregrine]

What are you feeding?
You may want to up the protein as suggested by @sourland. I feed Flock Raiser (20%) with Oyster Shells in a separate dish when the girls start to lay, oh grit in another dish since mine stay confined.
Another group of girls I had went through that feather picking/eating when they were on Layer, changed to Flock Raiser after reading several threads on feeds. Never had another issue. You can also feed protein treats; mealworms, BOSS, tuna, etc ... However I learn also too much "treats" no matter how healthy has its own set of issues.
Another group of girls were healthy but light weight, again after reading several threads and advice from members, I stopped all treats (experiment) and just fed their FF, tossing some dry feed as "treats" at close up. They gained weight and never missed their "healthy" treats (veggies & fruits).

I'm sorry... it doesn't look like my reply ever went through! I really appreciated your post! My birds have been eating Scratch and Peck Layer with Corn 16% protein since they graduated from the Grower feed. I recently saw that an 18% is offered and it's been on my list to get! It wasn't at the feed store last time I was there, but I finally got it yesterday. I didn't see 20% except for a turkey feed. I'll see how they do on 18%. I'm wondering if there is just some stress from these young teenage cockerels. Everything was fairly calm with just the Dutch "attempting" to mate every now and then--pretty sporadic and he is the tiniest bird, so mostly failures! Then at around 22 weeks, my D'Uccle cockerel started mating the girls and this has added a new element...getting more intense lately. When they come out of the coop in the morning, the boys just want to mate everyone. There are very brief quarrels between the two boys now and then. Mostly the Dutch just flies high up to a perch and escapes the D'Uccle! They are usually quite friendly with each other. I'm actively trying to find them both homes and have increased my advertising. Hoping someone takes them sooner than later. I don't have anywhere else to house the boys at the moment. Oh, I also have been giving them grit since day one and oyster shell since about 16 weeks. They always have big crocks available to them and I make sure they are full every day. My bantams don't seem to like the meal worms (yet) but the all like the Black Soldier Fly Larvae. One of my pullets wouldn't eat it until recently and even she enjoys it now. I wasn't giving that to them every day, but I can if you think it's wise. They get sprouted scratch in limited quantities and tons of greens and veggies. I give them a little fruit now and then. Thanks again so much for your advice! I love them so much. I don't want them to be stressed out. I hope it's just the protein issue.