Bare red patch on Black australorp

[Lori66]

My Black Australorp's each have a patch on their breasts that is bald and red. I thought maybe it was their nest box rubbing in that area, but I checked and it wasn't . They seem healthy otherwise. My other chickens don't have it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[TwoCrows]

Sounds like some broodiness while laying eggs. All my Australorps all have bald breasts. LOL Each time they go into the nest box, they pluck a feather. After an entire season of laying and a pluck here and there, their chests go bald. They do get red as well because there are no feathers to protect the skin while roosting and such. I think I posted this exact question a few years back about my birds, and was told the same thing.

Oh, and welcome to BYC!

 

[Lori66]

Thanks so much for your reply....what a relief!!