Why are my chickens tail feathers bare on the shaft?

[sycamore gal]

I have 10 red sexlink hens that are 18 months old. They have been super layers, but over the past couple months I have noticed the shaft of their tail feathers are bare and their shells are much softer than normal. I feed layer feed with oyster shells and grit mixed with the feed. They free range for 5-6 hours per day.

 

[WhiteWyan]

Looks like someone is biting or pulling on her tail with their beak. I have a pair of guineafowl males and the one always is biting down and pulling on the others tail, it gets bare at the ends like that.

 

[WhiteWyan]

If you can wait till tonight I will look up in my chicken health book if it has anything about feathers like this. Maybe it is worms???
Sorry I looked closer at the picture and realized it is all the feathers, not just the tail.

 

[sycamore gal]

All 10 of them have this problem. I also have some 8 month old Easter eggers that share the same coop, and they look great. We do not have roosters.

 

[WhiteWyan]

Hey I looked up the feather sections of my book. It says a couple things that be helpful.

 

[sycamore gal]

Thanks for the info! Would you mind sharing the name of your book? I'm thinking it might be a good investment!

 

[WhiteWyan]

Sure, I got it for $30 at Barnes and noble.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have 10 red sexlink hens that are 18 months old. They have been super layers, but over the past couple months I have noticed the shaft of their tail feathers are bare and their shells are much softer than normal. I feed layer feed with oyster shells and grit mixed with the feed.

Hi @sycamore gal Welcome To BYC

At 18months they are more than likely beginning to molt. Good layers can have ragged looking feathers from getting into/out of nesting boxes, etc.
Egg laying can also lessen or stop during this time, egg quality (thin/soft shells) could also be due to molting as well.

Just to be sure there is nothing else going on - check them over for lice/mites and treat with a Permethrin based poultry spray or dust if you find any.

Evaluate what and how you are feeding - layer feed is fine, but you may want to offer the oyster shell and poultry grit free choice instead of mixing them with the feed - this way the birds don't have to pick through the feed. They will take the shell or grit as needed. Aim for treats to be no more than 5-10% of daily intake. If they are molting, then extra protein or vitamins may help give them a boost.

 

[micstrachan]

Good advice from Wyorp Rock. My first thought was to check for mites.