What’s going on with these feathers?

[Hmcquay]

I have 4 Rhode Islands that I picked up this spring, full grown but not quite laying. 2 of them had what looked like broken feathers on their wings but I didn’t think anything of it… I assumed they would grow back. When they didn’t, I was wondering if maybe the farm where I purchased them had clipped their wings? Is that a thing?? One looks a little more problematic than the other, here are some photos of that one. The skin around the area is looking a little pinker/irritated than normal.

 

[Eggcessive]

That looks to be feather loss from overmating or feather picking. Sometimes feathers won’t grow back until the chickens go through their next big molt.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Agreed they have been overmated. Feathers don’t grow back until they have a good molt.

 

[Squawkers]

Yeah, looks like rooster damage

 

[Hmcquay]

That’s unfortunate- they were only about 4 months old when I got them. To think they were mated so aggressively before they were even of laying age. Luckily it seems as though they are getting ready to start their molt very soon!!