Molting or Picking?

[beyandle]

Our hens are just over a year old (15 months). We have an Easter Egger that has been getting picked on for a few months now, around her neck. Over the past few weeks, she has begun to lose significantly more feathers (but is maybe growing new shafts?). Wondering if she is molting, or getting picked on more? Is there a way to tell the difference? We have a buff brahma that is losing feathers around her vent too. We don't have any roosters. Temperatures have been between 90-100F and egg production is very sporadic.

 

[Eggcessive]

Those do look like new feathers coming in. You can usually tell if they are molting by loose feathers everywhere in the coop. Molting can occur 15-18 months, then yearly thereafter. Frequently they will molt first around the neck. To prevent feather picking, make sure they have plenty of room in the coop, they are let out to roam during daylight hours to reduce boredom, and provide at least 16% protein balanceed chicken feed. Here are some links about molting:
http://www.grit.com/animals/molting-what-is-it--how-to-help-chickens-get-through-it.aspx
http://www.nutrenaworld.com/knowledge-center/poultry/the-molting-process/index.jsp