8 month old chicken lost all her feathers on her tummy

[melz1010]

Hi all,

I have a Black Copper Maran and she is 8 months old, I noticed the other day that she was completely bald under her tummy. I checked for scratches and mites and found nothing. She is laying OK and seems happy in herself.
I have been told that chickens do not normally moult within the first year of their lives.
I am really worried about her, I have another 2 chickens and they seem OK.
Any suggestions would be really appreciated.
Helen

 

[jbirds2012]

sounds like she's going broody to me

 

[sumi]

Hello and welcome to BYC

Agree with the above post. Chickens pluck the feathers from their bellies when they go broody.

 

[kidcody]

from washington state glad you joined us!
No worries, she is getting ready to go broody completely normal!

 

[Fierlin1182]

Hi and

Good luck with your broody.

I hope you find all the info you need here, and enjoy the site.

 

[Red Barn Farms]

Hi, welcome to BYC from Kentucky.

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, melz1010, and

! Great to have you here! I had the same thing happen with my Buff Orps. Like sumi who posted above said, when they go broody they will pluck their feathers. Could this be what is happening with your BCM? Best of luck to you!

 

[weimarmama]

& from Alabama. Glad you joined us.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

Hello and welcome to BYC

Agree with the above post. Chickens pluck the feathers from their bellies when they go broody.

Hello! Welcome! x2 Sounds like typical broody behavior. No problem. She will likely start spending all day and all night in the nest.

 

[melz1010]

Thanks everyone for our replies, helped ease my worries as I am new to chicken behaviour.