Rookie needs help...chickens won't tell me whats wrong with them!

[griffon49]

Ok so here's what I know about my flock:

15 hens + 2 roosters
no changes in laying
1/2 of my hens have raw patches on their lower backs right next to their tails (about the size of softball...some not as bad as others. The other 1/2 still look as normal as ever w/no feather loss. They all still act the same...no breathing, or walking, or other noticeable differences.
They are in the run or coop 24/7 and always have access to run...which allows for about 40sqft per bird.

Hens have had feathers missing for about 2 weeks and it started with a few and is now up t o1/2 the flock. I haven't seen any critters crawling on the birds when I pick them up to inspect them.

Any ideas?

 

[azelgin]

It could be from the roosters. They're sometimes a little rough on the hens during mating. The feathers get shredded when the roosters climb on. Some hens get more wear than others, as even in the chicken world, some girls are more popular than others.

 

[Michael Apple]

It could be from the roosters. They're sometimes a little rough on the hens during mating. The feathers get shredded when the roosters climb on. Some hens get more wear than others, as even in the chicken world, some girls are more popular than others.

X2. You can always tell which ones the roosters favor, haha. The rooster's keel bone rubs on the hens back, fraying the feathers. I've found that at least 10 hens per rooster reduces too much wear and tear on hen's feathers. Young roosters are virile, and so long as hens aren't getting physically injured, all is well. I like to keep spurs short and filed round at the tips. A pair of large, good quality dog nail clippers, a steel nail file, and some blood stop powder is all you need. Supplement water regularly with quality poultry vitamin supplement containing vitamin k and probiotics. Vitamin K helps with coagulation of blood before clipping. Griffon49, if you allow for some range time with more space, you may see a reduction of feather loss. 40 square foot per bird in the run is a good amount of space though.