Rhode Island Red Feathers

[karbo]

Can someone tell me what is causing one of my Rhode Island's feather to look like this (see pictures). She is 1 year old (hatched Spring 2016) and is very active. I call her Road Runner because she is always first to get anything I feed them whether it is food, or treats or bugs. She always stays with me as she knows I will find or give something. She started about a week or so ago having her feathers turn light in color and now they are looking like the feathers are getting destroyed. I am not seeing anything with my other chickens (I have 2 RI, 2 Americanas, and 2 Sussex along with 2 Rouen Ducks), just her. I clean the coop daily removing any poop, etc. and do a weekly clean. I have not noticed any bugs, lice, or mites and always use diatomaceous earth under the wood shavings. I give fresh water daily. She acts normal as usual just looks bad. Pretty sure she isn't molting as that should be closer to Fall correct?

Thanks.

 

[Poultry parent]

Looks like she's due for a molt

 

[Eggcessive]

Molting can occur at any time of the year when a chicken is around 16-18 months old, and once a year thereafter. Many think they only molt in the fall, since most get new chicks in the early springtime. But she looks more to me like others have been picking out her feathers. Do you have a rooster which could be overmating her? Mites or lice usually can be seen running around the vent, while some are found around the neck. Usually with molting, they will lose large clumps around the neck and chest, and you will find feathers lying around the coop or where they hang out. They also lose their tail feathers early on in a molt.

 

[karbo]

Molting can occur at any time of the year when a chicken is around 16-18 months old, and once a year thereafter. Many think they only molt in the fall, since most get new chicks in the early springtime. But she looks more to me like others have been picking out her feathers. Do you have a rooster which could be overmating her? Mites or lice usually can be seen running around the vent, while some are found around the neck. Usually with molting, they will lose large clumps around the neck and chest, and you will find feathers lying around the coop or where they hang out. They also lose their tail feathers early on in a molt.

I do have a rooster, but haven't noticed that he prefers her to any of the others. He spreads the love around - LOL. Thanks.

 

[karbo]

Didn't know that about molting, we always raised meat birds so this flock is my first egg producers. I was afraid I was missing something since I wasn't seeing anything like mites, lice etc. (although my eye sight isn't as good as it used to be).

Thanks for all the input.