Silkie losing her feathers?!

[sherohara]

We have 2 silkie girls who have lived together happily for the last year and a half with no issues. All of a sudden one has started losing all her feathers! Their pen is full of feathers and the poor thing is half her usual size and is acting very nervous. I've seen the other silkie peck at her once and thought maybe she was the culprit but surely she would have to be attacking her constantly to lose the amount of feathers that she is? Both have suddenly gone off the lay too. Any ideas as to what the cause might be? Where the feathers have come out, they have only left bare skin on one small patch the rest still have the shaft of the feather attached?

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[sherohara]

 

[drumstick diva]

Is it possible she is going through molt? Some birds end up very bald, and others only somewhat. You can put blu kote where she is being plucked(?) to help keep the other from bothering her. Do you have a rooster that is overbreeding her and causing bald areas and broken feathers?