Help! My cockerel suddenly started balding.

[rosemarythyme]

Do you know why they do this and why it's never happened before? Did they only start grooming eachother now that they're (pretty much)full grown and laying eggs?

My guess is it's hormonal - now that they're laying the cockerel's advances are welcomed, so the girls are showing him some affection. Once it becomes a habit they'll likely return to doing it whenever his beard grows back enough for them to pick at again.

Some of my bearded birds (past and present) are messy eaters so the food bits in the beard are also attractive to flockmates.

 

[ella2025]

My guess is it's hormonal - now that they're laying the cockerel's advances are welcomed, so the girls are showing him some affection. Once it becomes a habit they'll likely return to doing it whenever his beard grows back enough for them to pick at again.

Some of my bearded birds (past and present) are messy eaters so the food bits in the beard are also attractive to flockmates.

Thats... just. Great. Do you think it will happen to my 14 week old chick once her beard grows a little more? Also, will the favorite hen be the most"affectionate" and the culprit?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Do you think it will happen to my 14 week old chick once her beard grows a little more?

No way to know for sure. She might not allow it, or she might like it a lot and go around presenting herself for grooming.

Also, will the favorite hen be the most"affectionate" and the culprit?

Not sure. To figure that out you'd probably need to observe the flock's interaction for a while.

 

[ella2025]

No way to know for sure. She might not allow it, or she might like it a lot and go around presenting herself for grooming.

Not sure. To figure that out you'd probably need to observe the flock's interaction for a while.

Thank you! Sorry, I forgot about this thread for a few days.
Here's an update.
He's growing pin feathers. I'm so puzzled right now. If it was a molt he should be shedding a lot of feathers, and if it was feather picking and not molting, he shouldn't be growing pin feathers. I'm glad he's okay and pin feathers aren't being plucked out. Well see if his feathers get plucked out after they fully grow back.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thank you! Sorry, I forgot about this thread for a few days.
Here's an update.
He's growing pin feathers. I'm so puzzled right now. If it was a molt he should be shedding a lot of feathers, and if it was feather picking and not molting, he shouldn't be growing pin feathers. I'm glad he's okay and pin feathers aren't being plucked out. Well see if his feathers get plucked out after they fully grow back.

View attachment 4224654

He's young, and younger birds go through multiple small molts as they mature so not unusual to see picked areas re-feather themselves without need for a full molt.

 

[ella2025]

He's young, and younger birds go through multiple small molts as they mature so not unusual to see picked areas re-feather themselves without need for a full molt.

Thank you! I will keep an eye on him and other chickens to see who's picking his beard.