Hen is missing some feathers. What could it be?

[henmommy]

I noticed a few days ago that one of my EE's appeared to be missing some feathers on her back (just before her tailfeathers) and her cheeks. Today it is worse. Is this a sign that someone is picking on her? All my hens are about the same age and have been together since I got them. It has been cold here (in the single digits), but all look heathly and no frost bit. She is still laying. That's about all I can tell you. I am still new at this and wonder what the experts thing.

 

[azelgin]

If she is in with your rooster, that's probably the reason.

 

[henmommy]

Yes she is, but has been all winter. Should I remove him? He got me in the leg last week and I am just looking for an excuse to make soup!

 

[the1much]

he's NOT doing it in a mean way,, its just when he mounts her he has to hang on, and they break the feathers on the hens back,,, it is 1 of the most common things there is with birds.
all you need to do is get her a saddle,,i imagine if you use the search button and look for saddles,, you'll see how many people here make and sell them.

 

[vtchickenlady]

I just noticed one of my EEgers has lost all her beard feathers. I'm thinking its a partial molt. I had a RIR that lost feathers around her neck a couple weeks ago and the new ones grew back within a few days. Mine are with a roo too so I hope he's not that rough.

 

[henmommy]

I am handy...how does the saddle go on? Any pictures?

 

[the1much]

here is just 1 place,,, go to the search tab ^ up dere,, type in "chicken saddle" then watch the thousands of hits you get.

http://www.mbldesigns.com/chicken_aprons.html

 

[the1much]

Quote:
they loose neck feathers also as a regular thing,,,, thats where the roo hangs on

 

[emandmikey]

You may also want to check for lice and mites, take a close look at her vent area, and the bald spot... check under the wings too... if you see anything crawling around on her, you need to get rid of them...

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I just asked this question not long ago because this is my first winter with hens. I was told that winter is very hard on them and when I watch them for any period of time I see all the hens pecking each others feathers out. My poor beautiful cochin hen look like a NN cochin! She is broody on top of it and she is pecking her own feathers out of her chest now to line her nest! UGH! My hens look like crap!~ LOL I can't wait till spring! And if yours is missing feathers on her back end most likely the rooster...I just started noticing my hens with the bare backs just a while ago as well. I think because they are all bored and are all staying inside the hen house that the rooster mates them more often. I have 11 hens with only one roo and they still have the bare backs~!