Thank you for your replies!
Yes there are some girls who have no feathering problems. Our coop is apt. 8' by 8', there are three feeders and one suspended water bucket with those nipple thingies, the run is apr. 10' by 40'. We feed them 16% layer feed from tractor supply. About a cup of scratch each morning and leftovers from the house periodically. There are feathers everywhere, so I don't think they are plucking to eat them. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!
This could be your problem.
Layer feed is usually about 16% protein(minimum recommended for laying), scratch about 8-10% and is diluting the layer protein....
.....so they aren't getting enough protein in their feed and are grazing on feathers(~90% protein) to supplement themselves.
Give them more protein and it may stop the feather picking, tho it can become a habit and may continue.
My Feeding Notes: I like to feed a 'flock raiser' 20% protein crumble to all ages and genders, as non-layers(chicks, males and molting birds) do not need the extra calcium that is in layer feed and chicks and molters can use the extra protein. Makes life much simpler to store and distribute one type of chow that everyone can eat.
The higher protein crumble also offsets the 8% protein scratch grains and other kitchen/garden scraps I like to offer. I adjust the amounts of other feeds to get the protein levels desired with varying situations.
Calcium should be available at all times for the layers, I use oyster shell mixed with rinsed, dried, crushed chicken egg shells in a separate container.
Animal protein (mealworms, a little cheese - beware the salt content, meat scraps) is provided during molting and if I see any feather eating.
