Balding on front of neck under chin

[MeadowbrookLA]

Just noticed one of my Americanas has a completely bald neck under her beak. She's just over 2 years old and has always been the healthiest of the flock. Recently have been keeping them in slightly more confined quarters but no one else is showing signs of stress. If anything they all look more healthy with the changes to their living space. It's June so molting doesn't seem likely. Take a look at the photo. Thoughts?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Just noticed one of my Americanas has a completely bald neck under her beak. She's just over 2 years old and has always been the healthiest of the flock. Recently have been keeping them in slightly more confined quarters but no one else is showing signs of stress. If anything they all look more healthy with the changes to their living space. It's June so molting doesn't seem likely. Take a look at the photo. Thoughts?

Hi @MeadowbrookLA Welcome To BYC

May I ask why the reduced space?

More than likely the feather loss is due to cramped quarters and/or changing their living space. The loss is a sign of stress/aggression. More than likely this is being done at night while roosting.

If you can provide extra roosting space and more room, hopefully the problem will resolve itself.

A few other things to do - check your flock over for lice/mites, provide extra protein and give them a few "activities" to focus on during the day - hanging fruit/veggies, dust bathing area(s), piles of leaves/hay/pine needles to dig through.

 

[Faraday40]

I think my flock has a case of muff envy. My 4 yr old EE is usually bald under the beak & on cheeks. When it 1st happened 3.5 yrs ago, I thought it was because they were confined to the coop/run for several weeks due to a tenacious hawk. But bald has become her normal state. It never spreads beyond the neck area. They free range the yard & no other hens are affected. I treated for mites & still do routinely. Although I cannot fully rule out something I cannot see, I believe if it were mites that more than one hen would be affected.

Because she is normal/healthy in every other way, I have come to think that perhaps she is under some strange kind of "peer pressure" She is one of the top hens & still allows herself to be plucked.

 

[wispy55]

We have the same problem with 8 of 50 chickens. We have bathed, dusted and Blu coated to no avail. The birds are still losing feathers. Most have pale skin but some are red. We have a mixed flock of Wyandottes, standards and Bantys, and sex link reds. Both standard and sexlinks are affected. Various ages but none of the bantams. We are at a loss. We have treated both birds and actually moved the flock to new larger quarters that have been treated as well. Still losing feathers. It seems that this problem has been growing for a couple of years now. Could it be something that has been introduced from somewhere else. We are in NB Canada.

 

[lovemy6hens]

@MeadowbrookLA the advice from @Wyorp Rock is exactly what I would write too.

 

[lovemy6hens]

@Faraday40 I'm not sure about the cause of your girl's bald spot, but I do know mine will occasionally freeze and allow themselves to be plucked as a way of keeping their place in the pecking order. The first one to move is the loser.

 

[lovemy6hens]

@wispy55 I hope someone will have advice for your flock.

 

[PsychoChickenLady]

Our Alpha hen has the same thing. Bald under her chin and down toward her breast. Just like several others birds this one has good white/pink skin with no damage. And it is our alpha girl,no question about that and no one is picking on her. I'm really curious what is happening.

Larry

I know this is a super old post, I'm hoping you might still be here and wonder if you've discovered a reason for the baldness. My top hen has just lost all the feathers under her chin too practically over night.

 

[PsychoChickenLady]

Was just wondering how these chickens are now.
My chicken has got exactly the same symptoms (alpha female, no cockrel in sight, white non-irritated skin, laying eating and playing as normal) as a first time 'mother hen' I was worried for my poor little chicken and immediatly went to the pet store for anti mite and louse powder, anti peck etc.
Did anyones chickens get their feathers back or were they quite happy with their mini bald patches?

I could have written that post myself! No rooster, top hen, no other symptoms/causes. Did you find any more information?

 

[PsychoChickenLady]

My Black Sexlink also has that pattern of baldness. She is not a submissive hen and I have no roosters. Interesting how many have it but how few solid answers we have. I will try some no peck to see if that helps. Thanks!

Exactly! I noticed that your post is about 5 years after the original, and here I am, about 5 years after yours, and still no answers (but I have a few more posts to go through, so ).