Look, we're going to say it plainly: that rooster is the problem, and your hens are on a very un-egg-citing vacation because of him. When a rooster gets a little too… enthusiastic, the hens stop laying. It's not a mystery, it's fowl play at its most exhausting. Your poor feathered friends are stressed, losing feathers on their backs, and probably hiding behind the coop every time they see him coming. Of course egg production plummets. You don't feel like working when someone's chasing you around all day either.
This isn't just about the bald patches, though those are a pretty clear sign. We've seen this scenario play out in our own community. Remember that reader who was trying not to chicken out over a single bald cheek? That was a minor grooming mishap compared to what your flock is dealing with. And while we're on the subject of guessing games, we've also had folks wondering about five-week-old Pekin bantams and whether they'll grow up to be roosters. The answer there is a coin flip; the answer here is a clear verdict. Your rooster needs a time-out.
Here's the practical takeaway: separate him for two to three weeks. Let those backs heal. Let those hens relax. You'll know it's working when the feathers grow back and the eggs start showing up again. Not all of them lost feathers, you said, but that doesn't mean none of them are stressed. Roosters play favorites, and the ones getting the roughest treatment are probably the ones who stop laying first. Kicking him out isn't cruel, it's a break. He'll survive. Your egg carton might actually start filling up again.
One thing to watch: when you reintroduce him, don't just toss him back in and hope for the best. That's how you get round two of the bald-back epidemic. Keep an eye on the dynamic, and if he goes straight back to being a menace, you might have a permanent bachelor on your hands. Sometimes a rooster is just too much of a handful for a peaceful flock. Your hens deserve a little dignity, and you deserve an omelet.