Bald breast onf Easter Chicken

[RI_Chicken]

Hi All,

Nervous parent here, recently noticed that my single Easter Chicken has a very big bald spot on her breast. (attached photo, the yellow is from a cracked egg she had sat on) I examined my other 8 chickens who are all Rhode Island Reds and they are fully feathered with no issue. These chickens have been together for over a year now with the Easter Chicken being the boss of the flock and running the show so canceling out that shes being bullied.

My next thought would be mites but also would think it would effect the rest of my flock and not just her. One thing i will note is that shes the only one who sleeps outside and perches on the top of the door to sleep where as the rest all sleep in the coop at night. (not sure if thats of any importance)

We are in the middle of winter here in RI and we had a really bad cold spell and snow that pretty much kept my free range chicks from roaming around all day and instead sitting around in the coop all day. So not sure if this is her starting to molt or being bored from being stuck in the coop for a week or something else i should be worried about? Any help would be great!

 

[Fluffs_flock]

There are a few things it could be. If she's broody, she would be picking at her chest and tummy feathers. It could be the egg on it, when did that happen? If it got on her feathers, the other chickens may have picked her. I don't think it's her molt, that should have happened already.
The most likely thing is bullying. If they are all stuck in the coop, they are most likely bored and taking it out on your girl.
She should be okay, just make sure it's warm enough in the coop.
You can keep her in the coop, but if it gets worse I would separate her. If your really worried, you can separate her now.
I hope this helps!

 

[NatJ]

I can think of two reasons for the bare spot:
1, some chickens naturally have a bare line down the middle of the breast. Specifically, chickens with a pea comb--like most Easter Eggers. The line is wider on some than others, and often the feathers hide it, but it is there if you look.

2, broody hens lose feathers along the breast, so the eggs can snuggle against the skin and stay warm better. I don't know if the bare spot forms before they actually go broody, but I think it might.

You probably should check for mites, in case they just started on one bird and would then spread to the rest of the flock.

But if it's not mites, and you've already ruled out bullying, I would not worry as long as she seems otherwise healthy and happy.