7 Month old Barred Rock missing feathers around neck

[ABurt]

One of our hens has suddenly lost some feathers around her neck. The hens are all 7 months old and they just started laying a week ago. She seems to otherwise be ok- she is eating and drinking and active.

Is this just a molt? Stress from starting to lay? It's been very cold (highs in the 20's) for that last few weeks. Any thoughts? Things I should check for?

Thanks for your help!

 

[BarkerChickens]

I can't see it too well in the pics, but my guess is you have a feather picker in the flock. It may be do to a protein deficiency (use less scratch/treats and/or get feed with higher protein) or boredom (among other things such as being on the bottom of the pecking order). I have 28 hens and one of top hens always has a a bald spot on her back and her neck. One of her buddies likes to peck feathers out and the hen just stands there (and she is ABOVE the pecking hen!). It is something between those two hens and I have given up trying to solve it (no one else pecks or gets pecked).