Not an emergency. 3 of 6 hens seem to be pecking out their own back feathers?

[cmom]

Permethrin is often used to kill mites and the permethrin 10% spray can be used to treat coops especially in the crack and crevices, roosts and nest boxes and in extreme cases, chickens and other livestock and pets who may also be infested with mites, lice, ticks, or other parasites. It is considered to have low toxicity levels to humans and animals while at the same time it is deadly to insects. I spray my coops around once a month. You can also spray your birds with it but the best time is in the evenings after they go to roost and being careful not to get it in their faces.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you post a video of them picking at themselves?

If it were Depluming mites (feather mites), these birds will have a great deal of feather loss, will have striped their feathers and be digging at themselves to the point that they are not eating/drinking properly, some birds will start to cannibalize themselves or have large bloody wounds where they are trying to get to the irritation.
These mites are microscopic and burrow into the feather shaft and feed on blood. Permethrin powders and sprays will not treat them since they are not absorbed into the bloodstream. You will need a treatment like Ivermectin. It would be better to have a vet inspect some feather follicles or do a skin scraping to see if these critters are the problem. Treating with Ivermectin you will be throwing away a lot of eggs during a productive time of year.

 

[Mr.Universe]

first off. in the chicken raising handbook on this site, it tells you DO NOT USE ANTI PECK PRODUCTS.

things to start with. if you can isolate all the affected birds from eachother but allow them to be within eyeshot if at all possible, this will prevent a peck fest of massive proportions should one spring a leak and begin bleeding.

secondly, wash that stuff off them with soap and water, 50/50 peroxide and distilled water the areas and wrinse well. then just apply neosporin over the affected area with q-tips or gloves and call it a day.

this is often caused by dry skin. the irritation causes them to pull feathers. continue to apply neosporin till the area visibly looks better, but also while the pin feathers poke back through.

now another question i have is, do they have mites or fleas.... what do you offer them for dust bathing?

you can also suppliment coconut oil into theyre diet every other day. just a few pecks at a spoon full for each is more then enough. this will help feathers and skin but also add a nice sheen to theyre coats