Feather loss and growth pattern on neck

[onthefarmnj]

Hi everyone, this is new one to me.

All of my 4 hens seem to be either losing feathers around the neck, have neck feathers that curl to the side, or both. One - the black one in two of the photos below - also has bare areas on her rump. They seem healthy otherwise; they are eating well, are of good weight, and are laying (except for one, not pictured, that just was released from broody hen prison). I looked for mites / lice and can see none. Could this be the beginning of molting, or does it seem like something to worry about?

 

[sourland]

Someone is feather pecking/plucking. Is one bird in perfect feather condition? If so she's the culprit.

 

[onthefarmnj]

Someone is feather pecking/plucking. Is one bird in perfect feather condition? If so she's the culprit.

Huh, Interesting, I hadn't even thought of that! There are a few factors to consider in drawing that conclusion - first, the 4th hen, who I didn't post a picture of previously (but she is pictured here), was in "broody jail" the past three days before I took these photos (she was broody for >21 days, but jail seemed to have worked). She only was let out a day or two ago, and after I started noticing the feather loss in the others. So she would have had to start picking on them before jail. While she was definitely a b**** when she was broody, she also was in the nest box over 23 hours a day, so it seems like she wouldn't have had much time to pick on them.

Also, do you think her picking on them would cause the loss of feathers on their butt (one of them is pretty bald there), and also cause the feathers to curl?

Finally, she's definitely in the best condition - but do you see some feather loss around her ear too?

Thanks for weighing in, Sourland!

 

[Cathy Bavington]

I have over 80 hens and two or three of my Australorps have lost feathers on their necks like the pics above - none of the others. They free range, have four large coops and a large run at night. I've wormed them and treated them all for lice. I don't think another hen is pecking at the feathers. Any other suggestions as to what could be causing this? I'm trying to sell several of them and don't want to if they aren't completely healthy.

 

[Brett Phillps]

I have over 80 hens and two or three of my Australorps have lost feathers on their necks like the pics above - none of the others. They free range, have four large coops and a large run at night. I've wormed them and treated them all for lice. I don't think another hen is pecking at the feathers. Any other suggestions as to what could be causing this? I'm trying to sell several of them and don't want to if they aren't completely healthy.

Hi Cathy, 5 of 7 of my Silver Spangled Hamburg hens and rooster have this neck feather loss too. All hens young and laying. One has a bald ring right around neck. No sign of scratching or lice.
Did you work out what caused your problem?
cheers Brett