Ameraucana molting in just cheeks?

[charlotte-and-the-bees]

Any idea what could be up with my Ameraucana cross? She lost all her muff/cheek feathers a couple of months ago. I’ve not seen her sisters pluck them out at any point, she’s the only full size with four bantams. Her cheeks look really bald and bare. No sign of any growth. She’s healthy otherwise, no sign of mites. Localized molt? How long will it take to grow back if so?

 

[Dephora]

I would check for lice and mites.

But I find my easter eggers always get their beards/muffs plucked out by any none muff/bearded chickens. Especially if they recently ate something sticky or wet. The food dries on their beard and the none bearded hens will just pluck all the sticky feathers off. It is more of an overgrooming issue, by the none bearded gals. Also the bottom hierarchy girls are more likely to have it happen to them. I try not to mix bearded with none bearded anymore because it is annoying to see a lovely pair of muffs and beard one day, and then a bare face the next. I don't like it when my husband does it, and I don't like when the chickens do it either.

 

[Dephora]

In fact, when looking at your bearded gal it even looks like her beard she has left is a little crusty, she must have eaten something wet recently.

 

[rosemarythyme]

But I find my easter eggers always get their beards/muffs plucked out by any none muff/bearded chickens. Especially if they recently ate something sticky or wet.

x2. It's not really a plucking issue, it's more of an overgrooming issue. All my muffed/bearded birds get plucked pretty clean by the others. They even stand around in a group and wait for other chickens to come and groom their faces.

 

[aart]

x2. It's not really a plucking issue, it's more of an overgrooming issue. All my muffed/bearded birds get plucked pretty clean by the others. They even stand around in a group and wait for other chickens to come and groom their faces.

x3.
Beards will grow back after a molt.

 

[rosemarythyme]

x3.
Beards will grow back after a molt.

And then get groomed out again within a few months. Currently enjoying the beards and muffs on my girls but I can already see spots that are starting to look a little thinned out.

 

[aart]

And then get groomed out again within a few months.

They can indeed...didn't happen here tho, not sure why.