Hen Has Bare Neck

[Awestruck]

Not sure which category to put this in. I have an Americauna who was very pretty until now. The rooster got on her back and her back was bare, so I put a hen saddle on her. I noticed her neck is completely bare. All the feathers on her neck are gone. I haven't seen any foul play (no pun intended!) but she is bullied by the other hens. Not sure what is going on. Anyone else have this problem with their hens or chickens? It's been like this for a couple of months now.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Roosters pull out the head and neck feathers when mating. A saddle won't help that. Some roosters will favor a bottom hen and breed her over and over because she's easy. If you are seeing a lot of feathers being pulled out than it's always best to remove the rooster to give the hens a break.

They should grow back in the fall, but if your rooster continues to over mate her or other hens are pulling them out than your hen may remain half bald. Other hens will sometimes pull out feathers because of boredom, or a protein deficiency.

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

Not sure which category to put this in. I have an Americauna who was very pretty until now. The rooster got on her back and her back was bare, so I put a hen saddle on her. I noticed her neck is completely bare. All the feathers on her neck are gone. I haven't seen any foul play (no pun intended!) but she is bullied by the other hens. Not sure what is going on. Anyone else have this problem with their hens or chickens? It's been like this for a couple of months now.

How many hens do you have ?

 

[Awestruck]

Thanks! This hen is the only one I have seen that seems to enjoy the rooster! Maybe that makes her his favorite.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thanks! This hen is the only one I have seen that seems to enjoy the rooster! Maybe that makes her his favorite.

I have seen bottom hens sticking with the rooster for protection from the more dominant hens. In exchange he mates her a lot. Sometimes it works good and sometimes it doesn't. As long as no blood or wounds are being drawn I probably would let it go for now and see if her feathers come back in within the next few months.