Plucking breast feathers

[Emma_Bruffy]

My 1 year old barred rock has been plucking her breast feathers. I have heard that this could be a sign of broodiness but she is showing no other signs. She is laying almost daily and never is protective of her nest. If it could be broodiness how long is it gonna be before she sits on a clutch?

 

[Emma_Bruffy]

Here are some pictures. I will say we live in the lynchburg Va area, if that could affect the "diagnosis"

 

[aart]

Possibly thinking about broodiness.
Don't leave real eggs in the nests until she goes full broody tho.

Might want to do a.....
Bug Check
Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008