What is this?

[wildwestcoast]

Im trying to find out if this is an injury or a parasite? Doesnt look like molting to me as im not seeing new feathers. Could she be bullied? I dont have a rooster.

 

[ashlierami]

Im trying to find out if this is an injury or a parasite? Doesnt look like molting to me as im not seeing new feathers. Could she be bullied? I dont have a rooster.View attachment 1944525

In my opinion looks like a injury that scabbed over. If you have her with others they could of picked her or you could have a feather picker. Which is either herself or others that pick feathers off themselves or one another. I would put some antibiotic ointment on it or wound spray. It would flick off in a few days and new skin will be there. Then her feathers should slowly come in

 

[coach723]

She may be feather picked by her flock mates, or you may have a hen that is practicing mounting behavior in the absence of a rooster. Once blood is drawn the pecking will often become much worse. I would do some observing to see if you can figure out who may be picking her, it may happen on the roosts at night. The feathers may not grow back in until she molts, depending on her age that could be soon, or not until next year. If picking continues then you can protect her back with a hen saddle/apron until the feathers come in. And it's always a good idea to check for lice/mites whenever there is any feather loss, just to be safe.
www.hensaver.com
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/free-chicken-apron-saddle-pattern.424354/#post-5201261
https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

 

[wildwestcoast]

Thanks! I have 6 hens. I just went out and inspected them individually and saw 2 others with the same thing but to a lesser degree. If i can identify the pecker what should i do with her?

 

[coach723]

The most common causes of this are overcrowding and boredom, so maybe you can make some adjustments to your set up for that. Increasing roosting space and space between roosts can help a lot, so they aren't so convenient to reach. Some people put up short partitions on roosts to separate area's. Some birds just like more space and will fight to get it. More run space and some obstacles to hide behind (but not be cornered/ always at least two ways out) may help, it just depends on what the actual behavior is that is going on. Sometimes not enough protein in the diet can contribute, so look at what and how you feed. Too many treats is the easiest way to reduce the total protein in their diet. If a bird is truly a bully then sometimes removing them from the flock for a period of time, where they can't see or hear the others, can help to reset the pecking order, that bird becomes the newby low one.

 

[wildwestcoast]

The most common causes of this are overcrowding and boredom, so maybe you can make some adjustments to your set up for that. Increasing roosting space and space between roosts can help a lot, so they aren't so convenient to reach. Some people put up short partitions on roosts to separate area's. Some birds just like more space and will fight to get it. More run space and some obstacles to hide behind (but not be cornered/ always at least two ways out) may help, it just depends on what the actual behavior is that is going on. Sometimes not enough protein in the diet can contribute, so look at what and how you feed. Too many treats is the easiest way to reduce the total protein in their diet. If a bird is truly a bully then sometimes removing them from the flock for a period of time, where they can't see or hear the others, can help to reset the pecking order, that bird becomes the newby low one.

All good tips thanks overcrowdong is definitly not the issue. I read the articles posted above and had another look at the birds out in the sunshine. I think it could be mites

 

[coach723]

Check the birds after dark with a flashlight, some mites only come out to feed at night.