Bare bum mystery

[bmwmom941]

Poppy is a RIR and one of four in a flock. She is the only one missing feathers around her bum. At first I thought she was molting, but didn’t loose feathers anywhere else. I have inspected her for mites/lice and do not see any. She is eating, laying and acting fine otherwise. This “bareness” has been going on for awhile now and I’m not sure what it could be or how to treat. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Generally that's from other birds feather picking. Sometimes it's from aggression and other times it's from a protein deficiency. Since only one is getting plucked I would guess she's a target. Reasons for it can be a protein deficiency, or crowding and boredom.

 

[bmwmom941]

Generally that's from other birds feather picking. Sometimes it's from aggression and other times it's from a protein deficiency. Since only one is getting plucked I would guess she's a target. Reasons for it can be a protein deficiency, or crowding and boredom.

Thanks so much your quick reply! It sounds like one of the other girls may be plucking her feathers and it must occur at night on the roost. They free range during the day and I’ve never seen any of them picking on her; they get along well as a flock. I will also make sure to boost their protein in case it’s lacking. Thanks again!

 

[Morrigan]

One other thought. Check your other 3 chickens for mites/lice. Some chickens deal with pests by dust bathing so aggressively they strip their feathers right off. It takes care of the pests, but costs them their feathers.

If no other birds have pests, I would guess feather picking as well.

 

[bmwmom941]

One other thought. Check your other 3 chickens for mites/lice. Some chickens deal with pests by dust bathing so aggressively they strip their feathers right off. It takes care of the pests, but costs them their feathers.

If no other birds have pests, I would guess feather picking as well.

I will check the others for pests too, just to be sure. Thanks for your advice!

 

[moniquem]

Could be happening while roosting. I had 2 roosts in my small coop, one in front and lower than the higher one in back. The low ranking chicken always roosted on the lower roost with the other girls right behind her. I noticed they were pecking her back area so I removed the low roost. Now everyone roosts at the same level, low ranking at one far end.

 

[coach723]

Bare behinds in my coop has always been from feather picking on the roosts. Rearranging roosts so that they are not closely butt to head helps a lot!