What's going on with these feathers?

[laurenjean]

So my ameraucana(mix) has some craziness going on with her tail feathers, can anyone explain?

 

[50-45-1]

My first thought is molting?
What age? Half of my birds look like this now.
Second thought, ecsaped from preditor. Something had it by the tail feathers and it escaped.

 

[laurenjean]

She is about 16 weeks old. I am fairly sure no predators have been around, theres no evidence in the yard or run and they're locked up at night. These feathers sprang up recently, probably within the last couple weeks.

 

[townchicks]

My first thought was also molting, but at 16 weeks, could she be a late blooming cockerel?

 

[Broodygranny]

My young chickens are starting to look scraggly right now. I think they are molting.

 

[Punkybrewster]

It could also be caused by what breed mix she is from.

 

[laurenjean]

I guess only time will tell what will become of this tail!