EE hen shedding her beard! What is it? (With pics)

[ChickenCharmer]

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

Willow the EE hen has now completely shed her beard, which used to be her (and my) pride and joy. She used to have the biggest bushiest beard ever, and now it's gone. Is it just a molt (her other plumage looks fine) or some weird problem? Please reply.

 

[M To The Maxx]

She is just molting. Nothing to worry about. Here is one of my EEs that is molting. Notice her beard.

 

[EweSheep]

Yes molting can do that. My Amercuana bantams have that and when it gets cooler, they grew back.

 

[ChickenCharmer]

Are you sure??? The rest of her plumage is perfect and shows no signs of molting whatsoever. Only her beard is missing!

 

[Chicks R Friends NOT Food]

If she is molting, you'll probably notice more feathers falling out. Right now one of my roosters is molting around his vent and between his legs. He looks funny "naked" but at least I don't have to trim them to keep the poo off. You shouldn't be too worried quite yet. I've learned that BYCers are usually right, so if they say she's molting... she most likely is.

 

[Pine Grove]

You have a feather picker...

 

[allison finch]

I think the beard embarassed her and she decided to shave. Now she looks like the other girls!!

 

[purpletree23]

First check her very carefully for lice and mites. Especially at the base of the feathers. Do you see any creepy crawleys? Is she scratching that area excessively? Are the other chickens plucking her feathers and eating them?

Lets start there.

 

[Mahonri]

I'm guessing feather picker.