Sick or Molting Hen? Help!

[HealingHens]

I was bought 6 hens from a friend 6monthz ago. She had had some feather on her back missing as did some other hens but hers never came back and now she has lost a lot. She does seem to be picked on but also protected by one hen. She sits alone, I do t know how to help her! Is this molting or something else?? Here are some pics, any advice welcomed, this is my first post... I appreciate you all!

 

[SeaPolka]

Do you have a cockerel? That would be my first thought when you said they already had feathers on their back missing. If not then I'd be thinking lice or mites but she doesn't look lethargic (to me) so my best guess would be lice. Hopefully someone with more experience can help too

 

[coach723]

With feather loss it's always a good idea to do a good check for lice and mites. http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/08/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification.html
It does look like some rooster damage. If you don't have a roo, was there one where she came from? Do you know how old she is? I'm not seeing any pin feathers in the pictures to indicate she's molting. If it's feather picking then you need to address that, it can be caused by over crowding, boredom or not enough protein in the diet. If she's getting picked on, make sure they have enough room that she can get away when needed. Make sure any treats you give don't exceed 10% of the total diet as that can effect the protein amount they are getting. You can switch to a grower/raiser feed with a higher protein content, just make sure they have oyster shell free choice all the time in another feeder as the non-layer feed will not have enough calcium for laying hens. I feed this all the time as I have a mixed flock of roo's and hens, multiple ages, some of which do not lay anymore, and those that don't lay do not need the extra calcium in the layer feed. Sometimes birds will miss a molt, so if that's the case her feathers may not grow back until the next molt. You can use a hen saddle to protect her back in the meantime. Sometimes the bare spot just seems to attract picking.
http://www.hensaver.com/

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

I agree it looks like rooster damage or pecking. Double check for lice or mites. With it being molt season she could be looking worse due to molt.
I'd definitely keep an eye out for bullying.
A saddle can be used but may be uncomfortable to her if she's trying to grow in new feathers.
(I've made my own saddles but I'm cheap. LOL)

 

[HealingHens]

Thank you so much, that's very helpful. I culled my 5 guineas last week and two roosters, they were just getting way too mean and aggressive with the hens.
I had one that I was going to keep but I watched him peck her while on the roost when I was putting them to bed so I decided to cull him as well, sadly -it was just necessary for the girls and I had 13 pullets I needed to bring into the flock. The roosters were all supposed to be hens (frustrating!)

she is a year-ish old and they have a ton of room, free range and free choice shells, sand DE and lime in the coop. they have a good set up

I did notice on one roo only one tiny little red "dot" sized bug running around from me in his feathers. I wondered but I didn't see anything else on him or the others. I'll research that some more.

I was thinking about a makeshift sweater for her too!
Much love thank you again for your insight!