Feather gone, bald spots on throat

[nanmorley]

Our flock of about 12 chickens is looking very scruffy, about 2 months ago the hens began to have bald spots on their throats (not the back of the neck), top of heads on some, and chest on others. We’ve looked closely and not seen any mites or parasites, but they are not getting better. Any suggestions?

 

[HeatherKellyB]

How much space do they have? What about nesting boxes? Is there one that doesn't look nearly as bad as the others?

 

[HeatherKellyB]

@aart is very knowledgeable about this type of thing (as well as many other things)

 

[aart]

Is there anywhere they are sticking their head thru some fencing?
Do you see any one bird pecking at the others?
What kind of feeder do you use?

 

[nanmorley]

Is there anywhere they are sticking their head thru some fencing?
Do you see any one bird pecking at the others?
What kind of feeder do you use?

I haven’t seen any of the hens picking (or peckingLOL) at each other. Each of them has a bit of feather loss somewhere, some it is only on the breast, other’s it is the top of head or just the throat.

 

[nanmorley]

How much space do they have? What about nesting boxes? Is there one that doesn't look nearly as bad as the others?

When it started they were inside of a coop, but they have been free ranging for at least 7 weeks now. There is one that doesn’t look as bad, but she is very docile and have never seen any aggression from her.

 

[nanmorley]

Is there anywhere they are sticking their head thru some fencing?
Do you see any one bird pecking at the others?
What kind of feeder do you use?

We don’t have any fencing, they are free range with open door to coop. The feeder is the traditional metal ’silo’ with the food coming out of the bottom. Since most of the feather loss is on the front of the neck and the breast it doesn’t seem like they are being pecked from behind….. We are at a loss Of what to do!

 

[sourland]

It is most likely feather pecking/plucking.

When it started they were inside of a coop, but they have been free ranging for at least 7 weeks now. There is one that doesn’t look as bad, but she is very docile and have never seen any aggression from her.

It's actually not a form of aggression. It starts as a grooming practice that escalates.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

How does their skin look in the bald spots? I'm just beginning to learn about this but @aart is there any chance this could be feather plumage mites or does it present completely different? I know the skin will look different and almost weepy. I don't know. Just tossing anything at it in hopes of helping

 

[HeatherKellyB]

It is most likely feather pecking/plucking.

It's actually not a form of aggression. It starts as a grooming practice that escalates.

Interesting! I did not know this. What about cases of them not having enough space? Also, does it still start the same? I ask because I have one hen that will rip/break/pluck a feather to discipline one that gets in her way. That was started whenever they didn't have enough space but she's continued just not as bad