Bald EE

[Desert Chick3ns]

Hello Everyone,

My Easter Egger went bald over the summer, and I'm wondering if my other hen is pecking at her or if it's something else. I only have 2 hens, and they are in coop with more than enough space. She is still laying eggs--about every 2-3 days, so I'm not thinking molting. Let me know if you have any ideas. I appreciate your expertise!

Thank you!

 

[Chicken_Guru]

I dunno about this, but what are you feeding them? Chickens need a lot of protein when growing feathers back, so did she just end the molting or no? Also, Alfalfa has a lot of protein in it, just incase you want her to grow her feathers back quickly.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

It could still be one pecking the other. That is what it looks like to me. I don't see any injuries but they will pull eacheothers feathers out.
Check them both over for creepy crawlies to be on the safe side. With head feathers being so short lice and mites can do quite a bit of damage to them.
Her feathers around her neck do look a little thin in spots like she is or was molting. If you look really close do the feathers seem to have fallen out or is there a small little piece broken off at the skin. That can help you determine if they are falling out or being pecked. Pecking usually breaks the feather off at the skin. Molting the whole feather comes out.

 

[Desert Chick3ns]

I dunno about this, but what are you feeding them? Chickens need a lot of protein when growing feathers back, so did she just end the molting or no? Also, Alfalfa has a lot of protein in it, just incase you want her to grow her feathers back quickly.

Hi Chicken_Guru! Thanks for the thoughts. She has never stopped laying eggs, so I don't think she's been through a molt. I feed them a lay feed that is 16% protein, but I'm thinking maybe I'll go to the feed store and by a higher protein feed to see if that helps. I do have alfalfa, too, so I'll start putting that out more regularly, too.

 

[Desert Chick3ns]

It could still be one pecking the other. That is what it looks like to me. I don't see any injuries but they will pull eacheothers feathers out.
Check them both over for creepy crawlies to be on the safe side. With head feathers being so short lice and mites can do quite a bit of damage to them.
Her feathers around her neck do look a little thin in spots like she is or was molting. If you look really close do the feathers seem to have fallen out or is there a small little piece broken off at the skin. That can help you determine if they are falling out or being pecked. Pecking usually breaks the feather off at the skin. Molting the whole feather comes out.

Thanks for the reply, FlyingNunFarm! I'm going to check her for crawlies tonight. She's a bit skittish, so that's the best time to catch her. I did check my RIR for bugs last week and didn't see any, but I'll definitely check again. She has never completely stopped laying eggs, so I don't think she's been through a molt. Is it possible for her to go through a molt and still lay eggs? Does that ever happen?
The two hens have always gotten along wonderfully. But...my RIR is currently molting, so I thought maybe she's just in a more unhappy mood which is making her pick on my EE. I'm still thinking maybe pecking.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

I currently have a mixed breed girl that I know is going through her first molt and is laying an egg every 3 or 4 days. I was stunned! I'll see of I can get a picture on my girls that shows the difference between fallen out and broken off feathers. It's subtle but you can usually tell. They really have to get a good grip and pull to pluck a feather. So feather picking is generally broken off feathers

 

[TexasSam]

I dunno about this, but what are you feeding them? Chickens need a lot of protein when growing feathers back, so did she just end the molting or no? Also, Alfalfa has a lot of protein in it, just incase you want her to grow her feathers back quickly.

So do crushed boiled eggs and sprouted lentils

 

[TexasSam]

It could still be one pecking the other. That is what it looks like to me. I don't see any injuries but they will pull eacheothers feathers out.
Check them both over for creepy crawlies to be on the safe side. With head feathers being so short lice and mites can do quite a bit of damage to them.
Her feathers around her neck do look a little thin in spots like she is or was molting. If you look really close do the feathers seem to have fallen out or is there a small little piece broken off at the skin. That can help you determine if they are falling out or being pecked. Pecking usually breaks the feather off at the skin. Molting the whole feather comes out.

I agree looks like A coming out of molt or going in one A good diet of animal and non animal protein should help. Btw they love crickets boiled eggs and tuna

 

[Desert Chick3ns]

I agree looks like A coming out of molt or going in one A good diet of animal and non animal protein should help. Btw they love crickets boiled eggs and tuna

Thanks, TexasSam! I really hope it's molting. She's just thrown me by continuing to lay eggs. I'm going to up her protein to try to encourage feather growth! I haven't seen any broken feathers, so I guess that's good news against feather picking.

 

[Desert Chick3ns]

I currently have a mixed breed girl that I know is going through her first molt and is laying an egg every 3 or 4 days. I was stunned! I'll see of I can get a picture on my girls that shows the difference between fallen out and broken off feathers. It's subtle but you can usually tell. They really have to get a good grip and pull to pluck a feather. So feather picking is generally broken off feathers

I tried to look closer, and I don't see anything that looks like broken feathers. I'm hoping she's a molting hen that lays eggs on occasion, like yours!