What is wrong with my sisters chickens?

[Hayleyeliza]

My sister can’t figure out what’s happening with her girls feathers.they are Rhode Island reds. They aren’t molting, they still give her an egg everyday. She gives them stuff to do, worms for extra protein. Do y’all have any ideas what could be happening here? She says it doesn’t look like they’re bullying either. Thanks in advance!

 

[Rose the Legbar]

What is she feeding them and what is their protein % in the feed.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My sister can’t figure out what’s happening with her girls feathers.they are Rhode Island reds. They aren’t molting, they still give her an egg everyday. She gives them stuff to do, worms for extra protein. Do y’all have any ideas what could be happening here? She says it doesn’t look like they’re bullying either. Thanks in advance!

They are being nipped and plucked. Do you have any hens that are pristine with no feather damage?

Any lice or mites?

What do you feed, including treats?

 

[Hayleyeliza]

They are being nipped and plucked. Do you have any hens that are pristine with no feather damage?

Any lice or mites?

What do you feed, including treats?

She only has those 3. She has checked for mites/ lice multiple times and nothing

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She only has those 3. She has checked for mites/ lice multiple times and nothing

What is she feeding including treats?

Any rodents (rats/mice)?

 

[Hayleyeliza]

What is she feeding including treats?

Any rodents (rats/mice)?

She gives them layer feed. A brand called Bar ale it’s 16% protein and meal worms 4-5 times a week

 

[Hayleyeliza]

What is she feeding including treats?

Any rodents (rats/mice)?

No rodents that I’m aware of

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She gives them layer feed. A brand called Bar ale it’s 16% protein and meal worms 4-5 times a week

I'd re-check for lice/mites.

Observe them to see if they are picking at their own feathers or at each other's.
For feathers to be that ragged, there's some picking going on. It may be during roosting, hard to know.

 

[CoopBoots]

How big is their run / daily residence? Can she observe them for a few hours / an afternoon to see their activity?

Total guess, but I'm guessing boredom or irritant induced overpreening / plucking.

I have a special needs hen that can't fully reach half of her body. She is obsessive about seeking scritches from humans on that side; it gives her a lot of pleasure or relief. But when I do scritch her, she will excitedly preen herself where she can reach most easily--a little spot on her neck--and she wears those feathers down to broken nubs, pretty similar to what I see here.

If that is the case, I don't have any sure fire solutions, but higher protein food might curb it some if they are eating what they preen off. I'd expect to see a lot of feather pieces somewhere if they are NOT eating them!