Feathers missing on back of neck

[hsorelle]

I recently noticed that there is a patch of feathers missing from the back of my 3 month old ameraucana missing. Is this picking behavior or do I need to look for pests? Should I treat the area in some way?

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I recently noticed that there is a patch of feathers missing from the back of my 3 month old ameraucana missing. Is this picking behavior or do I need to look for pests? Should I treat the area in some way?

Do you have a rooster?

 

[hsorelle]

Do you have a rooster?

I don't know. They are 16 weeks old and I haven't figured that out yet. I would think that it is a little early for mounting behavior yet and I haven't seen any shenanigans.

 

[Missyschix13]

I don't know. They are 16 weeks old and I haven't figured that out yet. I would think that it is a little early for mounting behavior yet and I haven't seen any shenanigans.

I have a rooster just a little older and he started attempting (bad attempts because the girls weren't ready) around 15-16 weeks. Lots of feathers flying and yelling from my girls. So if you might have a roo, it's possible it's from his awful attempts to mount her. But you should still rule out other reasons, pests or pecking, as well.

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

I had an Ameraucana (sp) who I discovered was a rooster at 20.5 weeks, He did the chicken song for a time then the softest crowing. he was a gently boy and when he was rehomed at 22 weeks I didn't notice any attempts or missing feathers. Keep us posted!

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I don't know. They are 16 weeks old and I haven't figured that out yet. I would think that it is a little early for mounting behavior yet and I haven't seen any shenanigans.

It really is dependant on the cockerel. I've had them start crowing as early as 4 weeks and by 16 weeks they were attempting to mount. I've had others that I didn't hear crow until they were 16 weeks old and didn't try to mount until they were closer to 5-6 months. However, at 16 weeks usually most pullets are not interested and will run away when a young cockerel grabs them. Usually if a pullet or hen has a bald spot on the back of the head/neck then there is a male involved.