Hen Losing Head Feathers

[EmilyRobb]

As soon as spring rolled around this year, I noticed that all of my hens had started to lose the feathers around their comb. Eventually they started to look somewhat like turkey vultures will a bare head and a feathered body. A rooster is kept with them so that I can hatch fertile eggs, and I started getting the fertile eggs around the time when I noticed the missing head feathers. After a month or so, they've kind sorta started coming back but they're very small, and I think some are coming out at this stage as well, even before they can develop fully. Is the rooster the cause of this feather loss? I've only heard of roosters wreaking back and neck feathers, but never head feathers. The chickens are all bantam cochins that are about a year old. Any ideas on how to prevent the feather loss or encourage regrowth?

 

[dawg53]

Yes, I've seen roosters go for the top of the head many times, with feather loss included. The feathers will grow out in time, especially after molt. Perhaps you can put pinless peepers on your rooster to cut back on overmating.

 

[EmilyRobb]

@dawg53 Do pinless peepers inhibit the livelihood of an animal at all? I've never used them but that seems like a feasible route to go down. Is there such thing as a chicken saddle but for the head of a hen? The back feathers of my girls are pristine. Do you think that it would be worth my time to make some head covering device if none are commercially available, or is that just a waste of time?

 

[dawg53]

Here's a link that might help you out. Down towards the bottom, it has info on pinless peepers.
https://www.chickenwhisperermagazin...nt/keep-your-rooster-from-harassing-your-hens