My Red SexLink girls are loosing their "butt" feathers.. 2 of my 3 girls have lost that pretty fan tail they had like this girl.... Now they look like this.... Is this a sign of getting close to egg laying?? Is it normal??? I know they are not plucking them.. Hmmmm
Are you sure they aren't molting? If it's just the tail feathers then it sounds like someone is pulling them out or it could be mites. How old are they? If they are young it may be they are molting getting in new feathers. Have you noticed any of the other hens getting agressive recently? May want to sit and observe them for a while. When they get ready to lay they go through a flighty stage.. then settle after they start laying. It's a hormonal thing. You could always dust them with some Seven to be sure it's not mites. Check them first.. they have a hard time getting back there to preen and remove any mites. Only a thought.. they all get them one time or another. Dust baths help in that dept too... Susan