Bald spot on head- Pecking, molting, or mites?

[beyandle]

Our barred rock has recently started acquiring some bald spots on her head. Opinions on what's happening? We don't have any roosters. Our ladies are approximately 9 months old. The spots do not have any open wounds, nor does her skin seem irritated at all. I have checked the best I could for mites and haven't seen any signs. If she's molting, there should be new feather shafts, right? Her behavior is normal. It has been super cold and blustery this week (you can even see a tiny bit of frostbite on her comb from a storm last month), and they have been choosing to stay in the coop most of the day- so I am thinking they are just bored and picking at one another... But wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. Any opinions or advice is appreciated.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

My guess is picking from boredom.

It never hurts to rule out mites/lice but I had a hen just like that and it was picking.

 

[beyandle]

Thanks! It has been super cold and blustery here, so they have been hanging out in the coop more. Installed a hanging treat basket to help entertain them. Seems to be helping a little.

 

[atomicslate17]

Hi guys, I'm totally new to the site. Wanted to jump in real quick to weigh in. I was posting tonight at some point. I have 2 RI red mixes and started to notice similar bauld spots on one of my girls about a week ago. No signs of mites. Then this afternoon she had an open wound. I did all the checking for pests and such. She is totally normal otherwise and even layed today as always. Any thoughts. I cleaned this up with warm water and applied an antibiotic. Side note, these girls are 2 years old and this is the first issue they have ever had.

Also I am in the north east where this winter is just hammering us over and over. They have a heater in their space which keeps the temp about 15 degrees above air temp. I mentioned all this cause the spots looks similar to the other birds about a week ago and now she has that. Poor girl. Any thoughts.
Thanks for the advice, she looks a lot better today. Temps were better and they both got out for a while. I'll post an update as we go along.

 

[snowbird]

this is feather picking at its worst. Put this hen in a pen by herself and see what happens. I would also wash this with Peroxide couple times a day. Don

 

[BonRae67]

Hi guys, I'm totally new to the site. Wanted to jump in real quick to weigh in. I was posting tonight at some point. I have 2 RI red mixes and started to notice similar bauld spots on one of my girls about a week ago. No signs of mites. Then this afternoon she had an open wound. I did all the checking for pests and such. She is totally normal otherwise and even layed today as always. Any thoughts. I cleaned this up with warm water and applied an antibiotic. Side note, these girls are 2 years old and this is the first issue they have ever had.

Also I am in the north east where this winter is just hammering us over and over. They have a heater in their space which keeps the temp about 15 degrees above air temp. I mentioned all this cause the spots looks similar to the other birds about a week ago and now she has that. Poor girl. Any thoughts.

This looks like boredom pecking. Clean her up and a little antibiotic ointment to help her heal. Keep her seperated til she heals or they will keep pecking her.

 

[snowbird]

Our barred rock has recently started acquiring some bald spots on her head. Opinions on what's happening? We don't have any roosters. Our ladies are approximately 9 months old. The spots do not have any open wounds, nor does her skin seem irritated at all. I have checked the best I could for mites and haven't seen any signs. If she's molting, there should be new feather shafts, right? Her behavior is normal. It has been super cold and blustery this week (you can even see a tiny bit of frostbite on her comb from a storm last month), and they have been choosing to stay in the coop most of the day- so I am thinking they are just bored and picking at one another... But wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. Any opinions or advice is appreciated.

If you have a male in the cage would say this is from mating. Nothing to worry about.Don

 

[BonRae67]

Our barred rock has recently started acquiring some bald spots on her head. Opinions on what's happening? We don't have any roosters. Our ladies are approximately 9 months old. The spots do not have any open wounds, nor does her skin seem irritated at all. I have checked the best I could for mites and haven't seen any signs. If she's molting, there should be new feather shafts, right? Her behavior is normal. It has been super cold and blustery this week (you can even see a tiny bit of frostbite on her comb from a storm last month), and they have been choosing to stay in the coop most of the day- so I am thinking they are just bored and picking at one another... But wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. Any opinions or advice is appreciated.

Is there a roo in with them? It may be right where he grabs her to mate and getting a little agressive.