One hen pulling out beard feathers from other hen

[Ccort]

She seems to be grooming her but is pulling out a lot of feathers from her beard. They're not digging and the one losing the feathers doesn't seem to mind?

Why might she be doing this?

 

[BobStuart]

She may have mites and she may be pecking at them?

 

[aart]

She seems to be grooming her but is pulling out a lot of feathers from her beard. They're not digging and the one losing the feathers doesn't seem to mind?

Why might she be doing this?

I, and others, have seen this happen.
Not sure why but it's fairly harmless, except for the naked neck that may result.
They'll grow back after the next molt.

 

[Ccort]

She may have mites and she may be pecking at them?

I'm not seeing any?

 

[Ccort]

I, and others, have seen this happen.
Not sure why but it's fairly harmless, except for the naked neck that may result.
They'll grow back after the next molt.

Ok. These two are new to me so I wondered if it's some anxiety.

 

[rosemarythyme]

It's just overzealous grooming, bearded/muffed birds often get food bits stuck in those feathers and other birds delight in cleaning them up. It's not deliberate feather picking and doesn't bother the bird losing the feathers.