advice needed for missing chest feathers

[hens4me]

My year old hen has been missing feathers in this spot for at least 4 months. Unless another hen is pecking at her in the coop, I see nobody bothering her at all. She is laying normally and no other chickens have this problem. I see no mites. I purchased some 'no-peck- salve at Agway (that's why she's a bit purple) but I don't see any improvement. Should I get a chicken vest? I sure want these feathers to grow back before the CT winter.

 

[IceAngel]

I wonder if she is rubbing that portion of her torso against anything on a regular basis. I have pullets that are still small enough to stick their heads through a chain link fence that I have surrounding their coop. They will try to reach through the fence to get at bugs and fresh greens.

 

[HeritageGoose13]

Does she by chance have any Asian Gamefowl in her? Those breeds sometimes do not grow chest feathers.

 

[hens4me]

doubtful - she had a full set of feathers for most of the past year.

 

[HeritageGoose13]

Hm, I really don't know. Hope you figure it out.

 

[IceAngel]

Try my work sock idea. I have a couple of low ranking hens that are missing their back feathers still. It seems someone is pecking them out as they start to regrow. Because the hens are black the contrast of the new feathers against the skin is great and I can see chickens thinking they are bugs.
Get a work sock and cut out the toe. Slip it over the Hen and then cut slits for the feet to come out. I am going to try it with a thin T-shirt sleeve to protect from sunburn because it's really too hot for work socks this time of year.