Still molting or what.

[Wil781]

I have four hens, the oldest two are about 18 months old and are missing a few spots of feathers on their backs but my two youngest hens look horrible, their backs are almost bare. This started back in September, they were looking better and then this morning I went to the coop and a ton of feathers in the coop, opened the roosting box and more feathers. What is going on does this sound like they are still molting? Egg production is down, I never see any aggression between my hens but I do know the youngest girls are at the bottom of the pecking order. I have one rooster but haven’t seen him mounting but occasionally (nothing like back in the spring). Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you post some photos?
How old are the youngest ones?

 

[50-45-1]

at 18 months, i would expect molting to be happening.
the younger ones you dont tell us what age they are. hard to say without more info.
maybe they are being plucked by the older ones or overbread by the rooster.
4 hens to one rooster might work for some depending on the rooster.
pictures of your flock would really help us make a better conclusion.

 

[Wil781]

Younger hens are a year old. I will post pictures tomorrow (I am out of town tonight) I have aprons that I bought for my girls but have not used, maybe I should.