Feather loss

[LCfarms]

My girls are all laying now and some have been starting to loose feathers around there neck and now the back of their heads is this normal for hens in production? Is it the insane heat here in central illinois?(heat index is high 90s-100s) any other guesses?

 

[LuvinChickens]

Can you please post a picture of the bird? It is most likely that the birds are starting to molt, but they may have a more serious problem like mites or lice. It can get to 110+ here in CA. None of my hens have ever lost feathers due to heat.

 

[LCfarms]

I hope u can tell something from these pics they arent very good, but the skin is kind of reddish in the bare areas, not really fire red but its definately discolored. It seems to almost always start on the left half of their neck and works its way around to the back of their head. I noticed some production hens at our local county fair that had close to the same thing. I was surprise that they would bring them honestly i thought it was a little irresponsible if its possibly contagious. However, the judge made to comment to them so maybe its nothing. I did wonder if it was parasite like mites or lice but i havent seen any on them. Then again I dont know how hard it is to see them.

 

[LCfarms]

The image didnt send on my first attempt so here it is

 

[LuvinChickens]

It might be molting, but it might not. =) The other hens might be pecking at the feathers. As long as they are all eating and drinking and acting lively and healthy, they should be fine.

 

[LCfarms]

Okay thank you!