One bird lost her saddle feathers.

[JanKuziel]

I agree we need pics.

Is it a BSL or the bantam missing feathers?
A hen saddle can protect the area allowing feather growth. Depending on roist set up there could also be night time picking going on.

Neither of the other two are missing feathers. I’ll try to get pics today.

 

[JanKuziel]

I guess it could be but I’ve never seen anything that makes me think that. There are 2 sex linked and one bantam hen. They all 3 get along pretty well. I’ll watch them more carefully but what can I do to help her feathers grow before it gets cold? It’s a big bare spot and barely covered by the surrounding feathers.

But I will add this. They stopped going on the coop on their own at night. I have to go out before bed and pick them up and put them thru the coop door. They don’t want to be in there. And I keep it very clean and their roost bar is up and not close to the ground. It’s not a shed size but it’s plenty of room for the 3 of them.

 

[Dephora]

But I will add this. They stopped going on the coop on their own at night. I have to go out before bed and pick them up and put them thru the coop door. They don’t want to be in there. And I keep it very clean and their roost bar is up and not close to the ground. It’s not a shed size but it’s plenty of room for the 3 of them.

All the chickens no longer want to go into the coop? Sounds like red mites to me, have you checked the coop at night? I know you say the coop is spotless but red mites are excellent at hiding. You usually won't see them crawling around until night time, if you do see them in the day that usually means the infestation is really bad. If the chickens are getting bit up by red mites hiding in the coop, they won't want to enter.

Take a papertowel when you are putting them to bed or after they fall asleep and rub around the roost, under the rest etc. any red smears mean red mites.

 

[JanKuziel]

Ok so I tried the paper towel on the roosting bar and around the inside areas of the coop. No red at all. I did get a couple pics of her back. I do think now that the more assertive hen is maybe picking on her. I haven't seen the behavior but I have started finding a large feather laying in the run now and then. I looked very closely at her feathers and didn't see any signs of mites or lice. (would think the others would also have some if one did) Her more exposed part looks irritated while the covered part looks fine. Do I need a saddle? And do I need to be concerned as it's starting to get pretty cool/cold at night? Thank you all for your help with this. I'm new at all this and really want her to get better as fast as she can.

 

[Tonyroo]

You could always have her wear that saddle harness, it's purpose is to protect the hen's back when the rooster mounts her. But it would work for your situation also.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I also think a saddle will protect her.

 

[SnootyHen]

I have a similar issue with one of my girls and posted about it here a few weeks ago. She started in late June and I thought it was the molt before laying but she never grew them back and has not started laying yet even though 5 of the 7 in that flock are and the 6th is now squatting so she'll probably be any day now. I never really saw her being picked on until I ruled out any kind of bugs and really started watching. She is definitely low hen. Two of the others actively chase her away from treats and yesterday I saw one actually pick a feather right off her saddle. Such mean girls chickens can be!! I have been taking extra time to be sure she's getting her fair share of the high protein snacks like meal worms and cheese (instead of just hand feeding or scattering them in one area, I do multiple spots so if the mean girls chase her away she can find another spot) and I watch her to make sure she's getting some, call to her to show her where I have some for her, etc. It seems to be helping because I can see the feathers trying to grow in but she's still an awful lot more bare than I'd like her to be for as cold as it's starting to get here. If you've ruled out bugs, maybe just watch them for a while and see if she isn't being picked on in more subtle ways you might not see if you aren't looking for it.

 

[JanKuziel]

It’s a saddle then! . Do y’all have a supplier or style you recommend? There are so many it’s a bit overwhelming.

 

[AgnesGray]

It’s a saddle then! . Do y’all have a supplier or style you recommend? There are so many it’s a bit overwhelming.

I really like the ones from this lady: https://www.facebook.com/zeva.palm.1 She let me pick fabric and made them for me and they're really nice. She also has some ready to go most of the time.

 

[21hens-incharge]

There are a lot of youtube videos on making your own as well.