Feather loss on neck

[Nope123]

I’ve noticed that several of my girls are missing feathers on their neck, specifically under their chins and on the sides of their neck. Not the part you’d expect missing feathers from an over eager rooster. I’ve checked them for lice but they look clean, and there are no wounds on the parts with missing feathers. They seem completely fine otherwise, happy and energetic with a good appetite, so I have no clue what could be causing it. Anyone know what could cause this kind of bald spot on their neck?

 

[CindyinSD]

Some of my girls molted late and very sparingly. Most of those lost feathers around the neck area. Do yours have pin feathers coming in?

 

[DobieLover]

I’ve noticed that several of my girls are missing feathers on their neck, specifically under their chins and on the sides of their neck. Not the part you’d expect missing feathers from an over eager rooster. I’ve checked them for lice but they look clean, and there are no wounds on the parts with missing feathers. They seem completely fine otherwise, happy and energetic with a good appetite, so I have no clue what could be causing it. Anyone know what could cause this kind of bald spot on their neck?

What breed(s) are they?
How much space do they have?
What are you feeding them?
How many birds do you have?

 

[Eggcessive]

If they are not moting, the feather loss is probably due to feather picking and eating by other flock members. Sometimes they will sit around on the roost or elsewhere and pull out each others feathers. When they go in to roost, spend some time watching them to see if they can reach each other, or if you see anything like that.

Overcrowding, too little protein in the diet, too much light in the coop, and boredom are reasons for feather picking. What do you feed them? Do they get outside to roam around every day? How many birds and how much room in the coop?

 

[Silkielove102]

Send pics.

 

[Nope123]

If they are not moting, the feather loss is probably due to feather picking and eating by other flock members. Sometimes they will sit around on the roost or elsewhere and pull out each others feathers. When they go in to roost, spend some time watching them to see if they can reach each other, or if you see anything like that.

Overcrowding, too little protein in the diet, too much light in the coop, and boredom are reasons for feather picking. What do you feed them? Do they get outside to roam around every day? How many birds and how much room in the coop?

I have 16 chickens, and they live in a very large chicken run. They’re given plenty of greens and veggies as well as grain chicken feed. They have access to 2 coops but insist on all sleeping only in one of them which does make it pretty crowded, however the skin is not irritated at all so I’m not sure it’s from them picking the feathers. Only some of the girls are missing feathers and the ones lowest in the hierarchy are fine. I will be increasing their protein intake to be sure

 

[Nope123]

What breed(s) are they?
How much space do they have?
What are you feeding them?
How many birds do you have?

The one missing the most feathers is a Svarthöna, two are svarthöna mixes and one is a brown legbar, in total I have 14 hens and 2 roosters. They live in a very large chicken run and get lots of greens and veggies as well as grain based feed. The bald spots aren’t irritated and don’t look like the feathers have been pulled out. I’m hoping they’re just molting in an odd way but I’ll be adding more protein to make sure they’re not picking and eating the feathers

 

[Nope123]

Some of my girls molted late and very sparingly. Most of those lost feathers around the neck area. Do yours have pin feathers coming in?

Not yet, but I’m holding out hope it’s just early molting.

 

[CindyinSD]

Not yet, but I’m holding out hope it’s just early molting.

That's what it sounds like. From what I hear, it's not unusual for them to have a light molt like what you're describing and either way, protein treats like mealworms & sunflower seeds are bound to be well received.