Rooster and other Hens pulling feathers for upcoming hatch

[djohnese]

I have a broody hen sitting on 10 eggs. The rooster was the 1st to pull feathers, the closer it gets to hatching the more feathers the other hens pull. Is this normal?

 

[aart]

Are they pulling their own feathers or other chickens feathers?
Are they adding the feathers to the nest?
I've never heard of this and suspect another reason for the feather pulling.

 

[djohnese]

They are pulling their own feathers and trying to add it to the nest that is in the corner. The rooster was the first one to start this now they all seem to be doing it.