Potential feather plucking..?

[HenDenMom]

I keep finding 1-3 feathers per day in the coop and run from my 7 pullets. I haven’t actually seen any of them pluck feathers from one another, and I am getting more concerned because more and more of the feathers are from my 1 black australorp. Today there were 3 just from her (2 were from the other chickens who are all buff orpingtons). I am also having the hardest time determining the pecking order in my flock because yesterday I would have bet money my Australorp was alpha and today she’s sleeping on the ground. It makes no sense!
I’ve attached a picture of the feathers I found from her today.
Thanks for your insight.

 

[WingItRanch]

Younger birds go through a juvenile molt. Usually if it's feather plucking, the culprits will often go after the smaller feathers around the vent or neck and may even eat them.

I think if you haven’t seen any plucking in action, it's probably a normal molt as they grow their new adult feathers.

 

[HenDenMom]

Thank you! I have witnessed a few eat their own small feathers as they prune themselves but no one has noticeable feather loss around the vent or neck. I appreciate your time and insight. I am feeding 20% protein grower feed.