Tail Feather Pecking - Looks like a bad hair cut?

[gnocchi18]

Hi all, not sure what's going on here. I was changing the food and water in my girls' coop today and noticed our RIR and Jersey Giant have what looks like a bad hair cut on their tail end (see photos). The other two birds don't have any feather trims like these two. The other two are a Salmon Faverelle and a Barnevelder. I think the RIR and the SF compete for dominance in the flock. In any case we have a huge coop, 3x4 sq feet, three big roosts, three nest boxes, although there is a favorite nest box that they do holler about when it's occupied. Any ideas what is going on or how to stop it? Thanks for your help!

 

[ChickenCurt]

Looks like they're being chickens but there are sprays (hot peck is one) that deter that behavior. Keep watch as things could turn bloody, especially with the aggressive RIR's.

 

[Cali Girl]

What does it mean if my chickens tail feathers look like this

 

[niamhblond]

They're probably just moulting but if it keeps getting bad use this tar mixture you can buy online to protect them and give them time to heal .