Bald spots

[SemiSweet2391]

My EE, Sable, has some bald spots. One on either side of her neck, and one on her saddle. The feathers there are all rough looking.

Relevant facts:
- we don’t have a rooster. I saw one of our hens mounting the others, though I haven’t seen that behavior in a few weeks.
- I checked her over for mites/bugs. I didn’t see anything moving (they would be obvious, right?)
- they eat chick feed for the higher protein, oyster shells on the side
- I have 6 birds in a 4’x6’ coop. Their run is 10’x21’

Question: is she just molting? Everyone is looking somewhat ragged. How can I help her?

 

[coach723]

How old are they? They may look ragged due to the age of feathers and will look better after they molt and get new feathers. Generally they molt annually once they reach about 18 months old, and that can vary, I've had them molt at 12 months (kind of depends on when they hatch in the year), or only do a partial molt the first time. So before the first adult molt they can get pretty ratty looking. For the saddle and neck feathers, it sounds like mounting damage, and yes dominant hens will do mounting behavior, particularly when there is not a roo in the flock. It's a dominance thing. The other possibility is feather picking, which often happens on the roosts. Pictures of the bird in question would be helpful. She may be lower in the pecking order or very submissive so is getting more attention. Coop and run sizes are usually minimum recommendations, and the birds themselves will tell you if it's working or not. Having a rooster or a very dominant hen can make a space too small. What works for one group may not work for another.

 

[TOMTE]

I checked her over for mites/bugs. I didn’t see anything moving (they would be obvious, right?)

Not necessarily. Mites are small and some are super tiny. And they move quick. If they're exposed they'll quickly move to hide under feathers. It helps to check at night with a flashlight but you have to look close and quick. Check under the wings, on the neck, and near the vent. If you see what looks like dirt/mud collected on the feather shafts, that might be mite poop. Frequent dirt baths, over grooming/feather plucking, lethargy, and anemia are signs of a mite infestation. Check roosts, walls, and floors for red spots that could be blood and poop from nocturnal red mites which don't live on the chickens but in their living space(s) and come out at night to feed.

 

[SemiSweet2391]

How old are they? They may look ragged due to the age of feathers and will look better after they molt and get new feathers. Generally they molt annually once they reach about 18 months old, and that can vary, I've had them molt at 12 months (kind of depends on when they hatch in the year), or only do a partial molt the first time. So before the first adult molt they can get pretty ratty looking. For the saddle and neck feathers, it sounds like mounting damage, and yes dominant hens will do mounting behavior, particularly when there is not a roo in the flock. It's a dominance thing. The other possibility is feather picking, which often happens on the roosts. Pictures of the bird in question would be helpful. She may be lower in the pecking order or very submissive so is getting more attention. Coop and run sizes are usually minimum recommendations, and the birds themselves will tell you if it's working or not. Having a rooster or a very dominant hen can make a space too small. What works for one group may not work for another.

Thanks so much for your advice! They definitely are starting to look ratty, especially this girl. They are just over 12 months old, except for the potential bully who is 4 ish years old. Here are some pics of Sable, the victim.

 

[SemiSweet2391]

Not necessarily. Mites are small and some are super tiny. And they move quick. If they're exposed they'll quickly move to hide under feathers. It helps to check at night with a flashlight but you have to look close and quick. Check under the wings, on the neck, and near the vent. If you see what looks like dirt/mud collected on the feather shafts, that might be mite poop. Frequent dirt baths, over grooming/feather plucking, lethargy, and anemia are signs of a mite infestation. Check roosts, walls, and floors for red spots that could be blood and poop from nocturnal red mites which don't live on the chickens but in their living space(s) and come out at night to feed.

Ok, I checked the places you mentioned and don’t think I saw anything. But maybe this is mite poop on her saddle? I’m not 100% sure I could recognize it. Guess that’s why this forum is helpful! Here’s a pic of her saddle area

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Looks like feather picking/plucking and from being mounted.

 

[SemiSweet2391]

Looks like feather picking/plucking and from being mounted.

Hmm ok. Not sure I like that. (Dumb question incoming) the plucking is bad right? Not good chicken behavior? Follow up question: what is the best plan to fix this? Separate bully? Get rid of her? Something else?