Chicken losing feathers around head and neck

[Idaho Roosts]

I noticed last night that her neck area is looking rather ragged. Not sure if she is being picked on or if something is at play.

1) She is an Isabella Leghorn. She is about 7 months old. She seems a little smaller than her normal but she is one of the smallest in the group normally.
2) She seems to be acting normal. Nothing seems off with her behavior.
3) I am not sure, when the feathers went missing, just noticed last night.
4) All the others have got their full feathers and are healthy looking and acting normal.
5) She just has missing feathers and seems a tiny bit smaller.
6) I have not witnessed anything happen to her.
7) She appears to be eating and drinking normally. She is on a layer feed, water has a bit of apple cider vinegar, she gets chicken treats and worms daily.
8) All their poop seems normal.
9) Have not administered any treatments as I don't know what to do.
10 ) It doesn't seem dire as of now, so home treatment would probably would be fine.
11) Will attach pictures.
12) They have a very roomy coop and run, free range several hours. Bedding is straw on coop floor and pine shaving in nesting boxes.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

 

[Muser]

She might be starting her autumn molt. Some chickens go near bald when molting and they can eat less and feel pretty sorry for themselves. If it isn't mites/lice or a flock mate, it's likely molting. Increasing her protein intake will help her along the molting process. I got 2 currently molting in my flock and they look like they've had a fight with a tiger poor girls!

 

[HollowOfWisps]

It’s normal for chickens right around her age to molt only the neck/beard area this time of year.

 

[nuthatched]

Just molting. I'd reccomend feeding your birds a higher protein feed and I'd stop the acv, it's not helping them any.

 

[orelsi]

Looks like a molt, BUT since there are no pics from the other side I have to ask if the feather loss is even on both sides? I had a case a couple years ago where one hen was eating the feathers of her friend while they were sleeping next to one another every night. It was around the neck and looked like a molt except it was only on the side where the other hen had direct access. Why she chose the neck only? No idea.

 

[Idaho Roosts]

She might be starting her autumn molt. Some chickens go near bald when molting and they can eat less and feel pretty sorry for themselves. If it isn't mites/lice or a flock mate, it's likely molting. Increasing her protein intake will help her along the molting process. I got 2 currently molting in my flock and they look like they've had a fight with a tiger poor girls!

Ok, I was under the impression since they were so young they wouldn't molt this year. They are all the same age and she is the only one losing her feathers.
Lol I have seen the crazy molting pictures of chickens!

 

[Idaho Roosts]

It’s normal for chickens right around her age to molt only the neck/beard area this time of year.

Ok good to know, I thought they wouldn't due to their age, and she is the only one with feather loss

 

[Idaho Roosts]

Just molting. I'd reccomend feeding your birds a higher protein feed and I'd stop the acv, it's not helping them any.

Oh really what's wrong with ACV?

 

[Idaho Roosts]

Looks like a molt, BUT since there are no pics from the other side I have to ask if the feather loss is even on both sides? I had a case a couple years ago where one hen was eating the feathers of her friend while they were sleeping next to one another every night. It was around the neck and looked like a molt except it was only on the side where the other hen had direct access. Why she chose the neck only? No idea.

It is on both sides.
And the other chickens picking on her since she is a bit smaller was my concern.

 

[nuthatched]

Oh really what's wrong with ACV?

It doesn't do anything at all, besides make the water slightly acidic, which can keep them from drinking like they should.