No tails and some bald backs and other spots.

[MotherHenCt]

Would it be a good idea to first put a saddle on the one with the bald back and see if feathers start to grow back

I have a similar issue and found I have a couple other chickens pulling their others feathers out. I didn't notice it till they started getting extra nasty to them and they would hide in the coop alot. Also, I noticed they would run to the water and feeder when I let them all out to clean so they are probably afraid and too exposed to do that when others are around. I tried the mating saddle but they didn't like it and stared acting off which made them more of a target so I removed the saddles. I added a long 3 inch thick sapling trunk as a bar for them to escape to and they love it. It is sturdy but removable so I can get in there to clean. If I had the room I would add more. Also I added things to block the view of the mean girls and give the victims a barrier to escape behind if the mean girls are after them. Under the run they had open space to roam but it was easy for the meanies to corner them so I put a log in the middle. It's tall enough so they can't go on it and sturdy so it doesn't roll on them but small enough so it doesn't take up much room. In 2 places I added 5 gallon buckets weighed down with rocks inside to perch on, escape to or run around. Anything will do to break up the line of sight but it must be sturdy. Things have calmed down a bit and they aren't hanging out in the coop as much. Also it's probably not the best since they say not to put food in the coop but I put sturdy rubber bowls for food, water and crushed egg shells and oyster shells in the coop so they can eat in peace. The bowls are against the walls under the poop board so they are less likely to jump on or poop in it. I change it daily and have automatic doors so rodents don't go in at night.
Good luck. I know it's stressful.

 

[seljen]

My chickens are almost 2 years old and they have had no tails for at least a year and some of them have bald spots not just on the tail but even on the neck area. I have cameras on them so I watch for pecking but never see any and I’ve treated them for mites so I’m not sure what’s going on. I’m getting about 2 eggs a day from six chickens. Today I actually got 4 but that could just be from heat but I didn’t know if that had a role in what’s going on

Im having the same problem... My chicken has lost its feathers on both sides of its neck since April and they are not growing back. I don't see pecking, and I have treated them for mites. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[JanR1]

My chickens are almost 2 years old and they have had no tails for at least a year and some of them have bald spots not just on the tail but even on the neck area. I have cameras on them so I watch for pecking but never see any and I’ve treated them for mites so I’m not sure what’s going on. I’m getting about 2 eggs a day from six chickens. Today I actually got 4 but that could just be from heat but I didn’t know if that had a role in what’s going on

Sorry this is so long. I don't usually answer post but I didn't see these answers in here.

Some chickens have no tail feathers. It depends on the breed of chicken. What are your chickens?

A list of common reasons why your chicken is losing its feathers: Molting, Lice, Red Mites, Favus, Worms, Bullying, Aggressive Mating, Boredom, Predator Attack, Stress, Additionally: Broody hens. Also, you may not see them picking the feathers. I had one that had a terrible bald spot on her back. She was the only white chicken I had. She looked like someone had poured boiling water on her. We never saw any of the others bothering her but it was happening. We decided to try something. There is a first aid spray "Blu-Kote Aerosol Wound Spray" that we found at Tractor Supply and sprayed on the bald area. It covers up the open wounds with a purplish dye and the other chickens can't see it and leave it alone. It worked wonders. She wasn't happy about being held down and sprayed but her back healed. My husband says we had to apply it more than once. Her feathers came back in and she was never bothered again. I don't know if it works on hens that pluck their own feathers but it's worth a try. lf you decide to try it be careful and don't get on yourself or your clothing. It's very hard to remove.

Chickens don't lay everyday. Research the breeds you have and see what they are expected to lay. Don't expect to get 6 eggs a day because you have 6 hens. The average number of eggs a hen will lay during a given week will be between 4-6 eggs. Some hens may lay as many as 300 eggs a year and some may lay 200 or less. Get familiar with the breeds to know what to expect from yours. They are also crafty and sometimes hide their eggs. Especially if they want to set and you keep picking up the eggs. It sounds like they probably don't have any places to hide eggs but you might look around and see. We had one lay in an unused trash can. We had a bale of shaviings sitting in the corner that had been opened and I just happened to look there and found 2 eggs.

Good luck!

 

[FlockVillemaire]

But I sadly won’t be able to expand the coop for a couple years once we move as I will build a much much larger coop looking to have closer to 30 chickens. They seem like they have plenty of room at night, they all squeeze together even though there is still so much other room. View attachment 4182974

Your coop, though numerically tight, looks like it is working fine, but they each should have at least 10 square feet minimum in their run, unless you let them out to free range regularly. Also, if kept in the run, do they have lots of enrichment and visual blocks (a straw bale or able to go round corners?) to be able to get away from eachother if they need to chill? I watched a Carolina Coops youtube where the proprietor was saying that less coop space can work as long as they have extra outside. Poop is the main problem, but it looks like your setup is easily managed.

 

[FlockVillemaire]

I already have oyster shell out for them 24/7. I don’t know that I can afford bagged feed from stores because it gets so expensive so fast

You can very simply ferment their feed to make it much more bioavailable. Just get a single large, or a few plastic/stainless bins or buckets, put in the amount of grain and add enough water to cover plus an inch. 4 days is the most nutritious, just remember to stir them a couple times a day. My flock adores it. Also, I feed them scrambled eggs with herbs once or twice a week, if I have extra.

Finally, get a bag of scratch grains and make a wood frame with wire (yt videos can show you how). Plant a protected grazing garden in their run for nutritional health and happy distraction. You can do a couple or 3 if that works, too. Also, you can sprout those whole grains for more nutrition. They really love sprouted lentils and black oil sunflowers.