Feather Loss Around Face

[chicksofclaridon]

Over the past couple of days I’ve noticed a couple of my girls are losing feathers from their cheek area (not sure if chickens technically have cheeks but, you catch my drift...). I have 6 hens, all about 8 months old. One of my Ameraucanas and one of my Leghorns seem to be losing the feathers. Neither one is at the bottom of the pecking order, I don’t see any blood or cuts to this area, and I haven’t noticed them being particularly picked on. They have ample space, plenty of toys and treats to stay busy, and overall they all seem to get along fairly well. I know sometimes when going in to roost they get a bit feisty when trying to find their sleeping buddy to cuddle up with but that’s nothing new and this feather loss just started. They don’t seem to have feathers missing from anywhere else, and they don’t seem to be shying away from any of the other girls or acting differently. (My lowest in the totem pole knows her place and kinda hangs back, so I would think maybe if it was a bullying issue these two may act the same?)

I guess what I’m wondering is whether or not this is being caused by another chicken pecking them? Or is there some crazy disease that causes feather loss to this area? If it is a case of bullying, should I just leave it alone? Or use some product to help stop it? Attaching a couple of pictures. (The Leghorn doesn’t look as rough as the Ameraucana, but I’ve never seen the blue sheen to her face before, only since the feathers seem to be scarce. My other Leghorn looks totally normal, no blue sheen.)

Thanks in advance!

 

[Squishychicken]

They're fine just melting. Or in other words loosing and regrowing feathers

 

[Squishychicken]

Molting lol durn spell correct

 

[chicksofclaridon]

Molting lol durn spell correct

Omg... seriously?! I figured when that happens it happens to their whole body, so it can just happen to their face/a particular spot?

 

[MissChick@dee]

My LH is just now getting lovely tiny feathers on her face...she molted her whole head!! So ugly. And just like you my EE has pin quills on her cheek puffs...oh so attractive. They’re just molting and should be back to beautiful by spring.

 

[MissChick@dee]

Omg... seriously?! I figured when that happens it happens to their whole body, so it can just happen to their face/a particular spot?

Yep it can be just more noticeable in certain areas. My LH opted for a face & fanny molt!

 

[chicksofclaridon]

My LH is just now getting lovely tiny feathers on her face...she molted her whole head!! So ugly. And just like you my EE has pin quills on her cheek puffs...oh so attractive. They’re just molting and should be back to beautiful by spring.

Haha well I guess I should be glad it's only their cheeks! Thank you!!

 

[chicksofclaridon]

View attachment 1673396
Yep it can be just more noticeable in certain areas. My LH opted for a face & fanny molt!

Wow, well I feel like a total dweeb!! Convinced it's some rare chicken disease ugh well at least I am a relieved dweeb! Thank you!

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Wow, well I feel like a total dweeb!! Convinced it's some rare chicken disease ugh well at least I am a relieved dweeb! Thank you!

Not a dweeb....just a chicken-obsessed, nervous Nellie, like the rest of us!!!! They are 2 beautiful gals, btw! ♥

 

[Ptera]

If you see the narrow feathers covered in a whitish sheath, like in your photo, all's o.k. Those are the new feathers growing in, called "pin feathers." The papery sheath protects the new feather as it grows. As soon as the sheath is ready to fall off, the new feather unfolds. Sometimes the other chickens will help remove the sheath from places the chicken can't reach herself. This is considered a friendly gesture. (If you see blood, it's not friendly ).