Please help, my girls are loosing their feathers

[Molnut]

It really does sound like feather trauma due to rough mountings. If it was nutritional or some kind of bug, it wouldn't be so location-specific. Maybe you have one mean roo that is terrorizing his favorite hens and even picking on your other roo? The fact that the issue is localized to the rump is why I am concerned it's an over-mating issue. Some roos are just jerks even if they have plenty of their own hens. Please consider getting them some saddle capes to protect their rumps and give new feathers the opportunity to grow in.

I can see this makes sense with the females to a point.
Not to be a pest, but how do you explain George's bare butt in that scenario?

 

[aart]

I started artificial lighting in October and increased it weekly by 15 minutes. At about mid December the light would go on at 4. I then started the decrease at 15 minutes interval.

You started the decrease in mid Dec?

 

[Molnut]

You started the decrease in mid Dec?

At about that time, yes. The light would come on at 4 am. My other coop has an automatic door that opens to an addition that is about 115 sf so this increases their sf while not outside.
This coop doesn't and I was concerned about them being cooped up (forgive the pun) too long. I added the difference in the pm. Then decreased the pm light to stop supplemental lighting by end of March.
Hope it is clear enough.

 

[aart]

You started the decrease in mid Dec?

At about that time, yes.

Most folks just leave the light on at the 12-14 hours duration until spring sun catches up.
Anyway it's managed supplemental lighting can have unforeseen affects.

 

[Molnut]

As mentioned, I added evening light after mid December so that I would not have to have the lights on earlier than 4 in the morning. Like this, the number of light hours still remained at 13+ hours.
This is the last time I'm using winter lights. I believe I'm dealing with a molt judging by how this mysterious "illness" is developing.
Thanks to all for offering that suggestion. It has been very helpful!

 

[aart]

As mentioned, I added evening light after mid December so that I would not have to have the lights on earlier than 4 in the morning. Like this, the number of light hours still remained at 13+ hours.
This is the last time I'm using winter lights.

Ah, OK.
The trouble I had with controlling the lights was only have 30 minute increments on my timer and they are sensitive to less change than that. The lighting is hard to control and even if it was controlled as tightly as the sun, affects can be variable. I have had birds molt in the spring after being under light and laying all winter.

 

[Molnut]

Yes, I think that is what is happening here. With that option in mind, I gave them another look and it seems some are looking better already.
Keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[aart]

Look closely for new pin feathers coming in...then you'll know if it's a molt or not.

 

[Thunderstrike44]

I have the same problem, but I have never changed my lighting either, could the lighting be a factor here, our hens (17) no rooster, have a nice outdoor run and two dust baths I have check for mites several times and nothing. So Hens are fine and some have really spotty feather and dont seem to get any better. How long does molt last? Should I be modify the light here or not? I have not heard you need to if you want to constantly get eggs? Or do you need to rotate years like another person said they do? Oh also we have mainly Easter Eggers but have a 2 Bards, 3 Plymouth Rocks and 3 Rhode Island reds.

 

[Mrs. K]

I don’t do anything with the light, live in SD, and is beginning to see a lot of feathers. I think it is molt.