What's wrong with her feathers??

[Eggstravagant]

I am relatively new to having chickens (my second year) so perhaps this is an easy one for you experienced ones What's wrong with her feathers? All that remains of the feathers on her back is a little bit of fluff and the two spots you see on her wings (same spot on both sides) is now covered in no-peck because they are bald. I recall once before that her feathers on her back looked fuzzy (not as bad as this!) but it went away so I didn't think much of it. She is the only one of our group of 13. I looked at her skin and it really just looks like dust/dirt from dirt baths. Nothing creepy crawly looking. Help!

 

[realsis]

How old is she? Can't tell from the picture? Is it possible she is molting? I'd increase her protein level. Feathers are protein and the increase can help her grow them back.I'd give that a try.

 

[Eggstravagant]

She is two now. Not sure if it's molting since the shafts of the feather are still there. How do I increase the protein on one chicken when they all feed together?

 

[Kaitie09]

It looks like molting to me too. it normally starts at the back and works it way up. From my understanding (don't quote me on it though), molting is when new feather shafts begin to grow under the old feathers. The old feathers will fall off and the new shafts will continue to grow and sprout new feathers. All of my moulters have had their shafts still there too. I would also just increase their protein, and maybe give them some Black Oil Sunflower Seeds too.

 

[Eggstravagant]

Thank you guys! I will try those ideas and see how she does

 

[Mehjr10]

Do You have a Rooster with her?

 

[Eggstravagant]

One of our young'ens turned out to be a rooster--he is about 3 months now and doesn't bother any of the girls...yet

 

[chick chicks]

If the rooster has maybe been mounting them they can sometimes accidentally tear out some feathers, but like the people above say it could also be that she is molting

 

[Eggstravagant]

Maybe the little guy has been trying

I will keep a close eye on the little devil. Thank you all for your input--I love this forum!