Bare breasted Black Australorpe

[retiredmary]

I have noticed that in the last 2 months, my black australorpe is losing most of her breastbone feathers. I originally thought that it might be from moulting but her breast is naked and no new feathers coming in. Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[ariri30]

I have noticed that in the last 2 months, my black australorpe is losing most of her breastbone feathers. I originally thought that it might be from moulting but her breast is naked and no new feathers coming in. Does anyone have any ideas?

Is she broody by any chance? My chickens when broody plug their chest feathers when sitting on the eggs

 

[Isaac 0]

Pictures of the bald area would be good, so as would be pictures of their perches.

If the two hens were every broody, or spend a generous amount of time laying that could be the cause, or if the perches are rough and unforgiving over time that can cause the feathers to fall off. An infestation of external parasites could cause similar problems.