Hens with Feathers Missing

[lmdengler]

I have 5 hens and Bob the Rooster. Nearly of my hens have missing feathers on their back, right at the base of their neck. There are no mites, no one is sick – their feathers are just “sparse”. Is Bob doing this? If so – is there something I can do?

 

[elizabethu42]

I have 5 hens and Bob the Rooster. Nearly of my hens have missing feathers on their back, right at the base of their neck. There are no mites, no one is sick – their feathers are just “sparse”. Is Bob doing this? If so – is there something I can do?

My rooster used to do the same where when he tried to mount them he scratched their feathers off.

 

[aart]

I have 5 hens and Bob the Rooster. Nearly of my hens have missing feathers on their back, right at the base of their neck. There are no mites, no one is sick – their feathers are just “sparse”. Is Bob doing this? If so – is there something I can do?

That's an odd spot....usually 'rooster wear' is on the back of the head or neck from grabbing with beak for balance and/or on back at base of tail from toenails.

How old are your birds?
Have you seen him mount, does he grab near the bald spots for balance?
A pic of area on hens would help.

There's not much you can do for head and neck feather loss from mating,
can't teach the cockbird new technique.

 

[rebrascora]

Shoulders are a common place for mating damage too. I agree a photo would help.