I have ameraucanas and I have several hens 18 mos old who have lost all neck feathers and much of their head feathers. Its not molting season and no pecking issues. What should I look for?
feather loss on front of neck and head
- Thread starter Rancho Libertad
- Start date
Do you have a rooster?
That is where the rooster tends to grab hold when mating.
Other than that.....
Are they pecking at each other for some reason? Maybe fighting over a nest box?
I don't think any parasites cause that kind of feather damage, but go ahead and check. If you pick one up and gently push the feathers to to side (where there are still feathers
) look for very small freckles, usually blackish. The freckles are the blood spots from bites and maybe also poop from whatever little bugs are feasting.
That is where the rooster tends to grab hold when mating.
Other than that.....
Are they pecking at each other for some reason? Maybe fighting over a nest box?
I don't think any parasites cause that kind of feather damage, but go ahead and check. If you pick one up and gently push the feathers to to side (where there are still feathers
) look for very small freckles, usually blackish. The freckles are the blood spots from bites and maybe also poop from whatever little bugs are feasting.Similar threads
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