"Shredded" feathers - not balding or broken.

[Sonyaisstrange]

I have a small flock - one roo and five hens. Recently roo seems to have lost his tail and everyone has what looks to be shredded feathers. I have looked for mites, they don't seem to be there. I have been raising chicks and they are ready to merge into the main flock, but if this needs treatment I would rather not mix the two flocks just yet. Any advice would be helpful. Thank you.
Bedding is hay, enclosure is 10x20 pen. Feed is all flock with free choice grit and oyster shell. Eggs are consistently laid. They all seem to behave normally, no itching or anything.
I am working on a 8'x55' coop/run where they will all live, but I don't want to move them there if they have something that could infect/infest the whole new area.

 

[thecatumbrella]

At first glance, the red hen looks to be over-mated. That tends to be where they lose feathers, and a protective saddle will cover the area while she recovers.

Can you post pictures of the roo? Is it possible he's going through an early molt?

I still wouldn't rule out mites without a super thorough check at night (not sure how you've scanned for them so far). Feather picking is another possibility.

 

[Sonyaisstrange]

At first glance, the red hen looks to be over-mated. That tends to be where they lose feathers, and a protective saddle will cover the area while she recovers.

Can you post pictures of the roo? Is it possible he's going through an early molt?

I still wouldn't rule out mites without a super thorough check at night (not sure how you've scanned for them so far). Feather picking is another possibility.

Thank you for responding.
There is DEF some signs of over mating. This group came to us in April and were roughly a year old. I started on raising the other group of hens as soon as we took these on and they are ready to be blended now.
The reason I thought this might not be over mating is that it is on all the feathers all around them, not just their backs. But, honestly, this is my first time having a rooster so I don't really know.
On closer inspection it might not be all their feathers, I might be over reacting?
I held my grey girl and went through her feathers looking for teny bugs, but not at night. How should I look for mites? I will happily do it again!
I am posting photos of Totem (my roo) and of Bonnie.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Thank you for responding.
There is DEF some signs of over mating. This group came to us in April and were roughly a year old. I started on raising the other group of hens as soon as we took these on and they are ready to be blended now.
The reason I thought this might not be over mating is that it is on all the feathers all around them, not just their backs. But, honestly, this is my first time having a rooster so I don't really know.
On closer inspection it might not be all their feathers, I might be over reacting?
I held my grey girl and went through her feathers looking for teny bugs, but not at night. How should I look for mites? I will happily do it again!
I am posting photos of Totem (my roo) and of Bonnie.

My understanding is that mites are more active once the chickens roost. Go into the coop at night and inspect around their vents, as well as the roosts themselves (including underneath). I think I've seen people mention that they'll run a clean paper towel along the underside? Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

What are you feeding? A lower protein diet can also slow feather regrowth (such as with 16% layer feed).

By the way, I love the name Bonnie!

 

[Eggcessive]

If they are around 18 months old, they may be starting to molt. Usually the sign is seeing feathers around the coop and run or where they hang out most days. With feather picking, the others may be eating those feathers. Some young roosters may have favorites or go after the more cooperative hens, and he might need more hens or to be separated for some breaks. Hen saddles can be an option when hens are being over-mated.

 

[Sonyaisstrange]

Okay! I will look at night. They are on an all flock feed that is 20% protein and get chicken safe scraps and melon daily (the melon is to help with hydration with all this heat.)
Bonnie’s name is Bonnie Graye after my granny - Bonnie Faye - who kept chickens when I was younger! lol since having her I hatched a couple of her eggs and named them all after my mom and her sisters. Monette, Lynette, and Paulette! LOL

 

[Sonyaisstrange]

If they are around 18 months old, they may be starting to molt. Usually the sign is seeing feathers around the coop and run or where they hang out most days. With feather picking, the others may be eating those feathers. Some young roosters may have favorites or go after the more cooperative hens, and he might need more hens or to be separated for some breaks. Hen saddles can be an option when hens are being over-mated.

They are all roughly 18 months and there are feathers everywhere. lol okay!
He has more hens ready, I just wanted to treat anything if the flock needed to be treated before combining flocks. He has seven more ladies who just started laying ready to blend into one happy flock!