Chicken has off-colored feathers and is losing feathers

[NatJ]

My RIR's feathers are turning light tan or cream along it's breastbone and a little bit on it's shoulder and is losing feathers around its throat, any ideas?

The feathers have not changed color. She is just missing some feathers, so you see the base of other feathers.

Each feather has a smooth end part that you usually see, and a fluffy part at the base (near the skin). That fluffy part can be a different color, but is usually hidden by the smooth ends of other feathers, so you usually don't notice it.

So you only have one problem (missing feathers) not two (color change + missing feathers.)

 

[Uncle Turk]

Ok, I will see about getting more protein, should I be checking for mites too?

 

[SilverBirds]

Ok, I will see about getting more protein, should I be checking for mites too?

Yes, check for mites/lice. Also watch for any feather picking down by herself or other flock members. Either way upped protein will help with new feather growth and feather picking.