Cochin Going Bald-Updated with picture added. Any advice?

[ginmaxboise]

I have one Cochin and one Welsumer. Both are about 30 weeks old and seem healthy. They're each laying regularly and have pretty roomy living conditions for two chickens..

Today, when I got home, the feathers on the back of the Cochin's head and down the back of her neck were gone. She still seems healthy but sure looks funny.

I guess it's some kind of skin condition or maybe the Welsumer's doing it. Any ideas?

 

[chickenlady]

I would guess the other bird is doing it. Are the feathers completely gone or is the little shaft (base of the feather) still sticking out of her body? Have you ruled out mites?

 

[ginmaxboise]

Thank you for your reply

I'm afraid I'm fairly new to the chicken game so I don't know anything particular about mites.

I think the feathers are pretty much totally gone. Just a few remaining feathers on that area.

Whatever it is, it has happened in the last 24 hours.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

There are a few things that may be happening. The cochin is a hen and the other a roo. The roos, some that are hard on thier hens do pluck out feathers in this area. Some others may be that the Cochin is moulting, something that chickens do. Lastly, it may be a pest such as bugs or such. If you could post some pics of the Cochin it sure would help out.

 

[ginmaxboise]

Both are hens. I will try to get a pic today.

 

[warren]

This hen was starting to moult. She now has a lovely head of hair!

 

[ginmaxboise]

Here's Daisy

Sorry if the picture isn't quite clear. But the missing feathers are totally gone as if plucked out. The skin is not irritated at all. There do not seem to be a lot of feathers around in the coop either. We are stumped. Any help?

 

[Jenski]

You might pull up a chair and watch them for awhile to rule out picking, but it looks like a molt to me. Mine lose feathers from the top down. This is the time of year for that, too. (They will do this at least once a year.)

Just give your molty girl extra protein (vitamins in water, scrambled eggs, chick grower mash, little meat scraps, etc.) to help her grow her feathers in, and if you have really cold weather be sure she stays comfy until she is looking gorgeous again.

Good luck!