Bald spots on the backs of hens - near the tail feathers

[av8rwife]

I have two hens that have these balding spots on their backs. Wondering if this is caused by the roosters OR are they pecking each other. I’ve brought them home to try and let them heal (the red ones back was bleeding some yesterday). Once at home I noticed the red hen pecking at the other hens back spot. So now I’m not sure if it’s the roosters or not. I thought it would be best to separate the two hens from the others until they heal up.

 

[seminolewind]

It's most likely the roosters. Your girls need these saddle things that protect their back, or use what I use, some duct tape.

 

[branston]

It's the roos. I just bought some saddles/aprons from Louise's country Closet for my hens and managed to get one on the worse feather worn hen. She wasn't impressed at first and ran around squawking for a while but is now perfectly happy and I imagine very relieved! I guess I should leave it on until her feathers grow back? If anyone has advice on that, it would be appreciated. The elastic isn't tight atall but I'm a little concerned about cutting off blood flow to her wings? I bought the xtra large for my barred rock, the small size are better suited for a bantam size hen and they were $4 each. Hope that helps

 

[CupOJoe42]

I am having a similar issue, but I know that mine is due to overcrowding (they are still in the brooder, waiting for the coop to be finished.) Do yours have enough space? I cleaned the bald spots with mild soap and water and then applied Neosporin to them. Am planning on sewing my own chicken saddles/aprons, but haven't had the time.

 

[chicmom]

Oh, this reminds me of a personal experience. The first winter I had chickens, they were locked in the coop/run alot because our snow was soooo deep!

Anyhow, I noticed everybody was getting a bald spot on their back, just above where the tail feathers start. The bald spot was in exactly the same spot on everyone.

Sooo, I checked everybody for mites or lice or whatever, and found nothing. I was perplexed!

What could be happening to my beautiful flock!

So it was a pretty nice day and I was outside with the flock, and I was just watching them peck around after I had thrown down some scratch for them......I watched for a long time.

AND I SAW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS! One of my newer hens, a New Hampshire Red, would walk behind each chicken, eyeball their back, and WHAM! She would pull out a feather! Of course, they would squawk and run! I just kept watching, and she did that again, and again, and again. And of course, HER feathers were perfect! No bald spot!

MYSTERY SOLVED! I gave her to a farmer friend with a huge farm so she could run around more, and all was well again with my flock. Everybody's feathers grew back.

So this might not be a rooster problem at all.....Just take some time and observe, and look for the chicken who has the perfect feathers!

Hope this helps!

Sharon

 

[EagelMom37370]

Thank you, we don't have roosters but we do have 2 beautifully feathered hens and 8 that have the same bald spot. I have ordered the pinless peepers and can't wait to use them. We have also moved our hens to a better coop with more roosting area.

 

[leslielbk]

I have there same problem but I've never seen any of the other hens going for the others or the rooster. What really had me stumped is the lack of feathers in the yard! Where are they going?? Anyway, now i have little chicks born just yesterday and I'm going into action. I don't like the idea of putting protective gear on the hens but i will. Glad to know it isn't just me!