My rooster had tore up my hens before I got rid of him. Well, I put saddles on them and waited. Some grew back and others just don't like wearing the saddle. That's not the biggest problem. The ones that were never plucked by the rooster has started to get a spot above the tail. And the one that grew back has a little spot on the shoulder. I am so sick and tired of trying to get them to grow feathers back and not getting anywhere. Some havent grown them back at all since he left. Of course with a saddle coming off every five minutes that could be it. One molted so she is looking pretty good besides that spot on her shoulder but the rest just won't moult and they are a little over a year. It would be so nice if they would but... I guess I can't ask for everything.
Sure sounds like picking -- that's the same pattern I had, right down to the shoulder patches (it's a favorite grab spot for an aggressive hen). Got rid of the roo, still never saw any feathers back -- and very much assumed that it was because they hadn't molted yet -- until quite by accident I had to isolate the major picker. Pointy baby feathers springing up everywhere. She went in the freezer, and some minor pickers are currently being introduced to pinless peepers. I'm now of the opinion that nervous picking and picking due to poor protein can be fixed, but if that doesn't work, you've just got to suck it up and admit that some of 'em have the habit. That's when you either live with naked chickens, roll out the peepers, or haul out the axe.
