bald sore spot on back of hen - help !

[DanLeaAnn7]

Hi - newish to chickens - we have 22 pullets, (no rooster) they just started laying this week, they are 20 weeks old. I have been gone during the day most of yesterday and today and when the kids went to close the coop tonight they noticed that one of our Easter Egger's had a nasty looking bald spot on his back, 2 inches long, 1 inch wide. I don't have any of the Blue Kote, (will get some in the morning) so I put Neosporene on it. I have never seen the hens pick on each other, but i have been mostly gone the last 2 days. I put some DE powder down this evening on the sand in their coop, thinking this would solve any mite problem (not sure it would be better than nothing this late in the evening). It has been very windy and hot here and it seems the chickens don't go outside much when it is very windy. Any ideas, the chickens have been very healthy otherwise. thanks in advance !

 

[Breac]

That's pretty much a tell-tale sign of treading. Typically it's done by a rooster when mating. Even if you don't have a rooster, a dominant hen will sometimes pick up the slack and start acting like a rooster. The dominant hen will start trying to mate with subordinate hens and may even try to crow!

At this point, you might consider investing in a hen apron/saddle. You can either purchase them from various online stores or make one yourself using a pattern off the internet.

As for the perpetrator, there's really not much to do, except trying to isolate her for a few days. This will lower her status in the flock, although the masculine behavior may keep up.

 

[jerseygirl1]

Sure looks like roo damage!

 

[DanLeaAnn7]

Thanks - I have noticed one hen acting dominant but we will be home this weekend and will keep a watch out - thanks for the help Breac and jerseygirl1 !

 

[Too Fast]

Yes this is an old thread. However, we just got back from a weeklong vacation. One of our two cockerels (15 weeks old now, they all are) has this same thing in the same spot. No blood, just an empty feather area. We have 8 chickens total, 6 hens. They are all the same age. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!