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I was down near the coop for longer today (first warm days we've had) and there is definitely more squabbling going than usual. There are two hens that seem in almost perfect feather--can two hens cause such damage on 28 others? But it also seems like some of the worst looking hens are bullying others--it just feels like the whole coop has gone mean-girl crazy. I've never had hens doing bodily harm to each other before (unless one was really sick or injured). I'm giving them some extra protein, and will let them out of their yard tomorrow and see if they can find what they need and/or cool off. (During the seasons when the grass is growing they go out every day, but in the winter they stay in their yard and coop--both of which are plenty large, but apparently something is making them unhappy.) And I'm going to separate out the two good looking hens.

If anyone else looking at these pictures still thinks I might have a mite problem I'd be happy to know. But right now I am going to assume it is a bullying problem.

Thank you Sourland.

Autumn