Ideas about this hen's lack of feathers?

[polyxenes]

Hi, not an emergency, but my Ameraucana has bare skin. She's a regular layer and definitely not broody, any ideas what this might be?

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I appreciate all ideas and suggestions!

 

[sherylreno]

Quote:
Have you checked for mites? Look around her vent area and under her wings.

 

[Imp]

Maybe molt?

Imp

 

[Honeysucklefeathers]

don't know, but here's a bump!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I agree with the other posters- check for mites and could be molt. Perfect timing for molt.

 

[polyxenes]

Actually I found another hen (my other Ameraucana) with the same bald areas. I can find no mites anywhere on their bodies and nothing that looks suspicious - just no feathers. As a precaution, I checked the other hens and they all appear to be mite-free. I'll assume that they are starting to molt since I don't see critters on their skin or in their feathers.

Thank you all very much!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
You can give them high protein treats and make sure you are feeding a good solid feed during their molt to encourage new feather formation. (For example, make sure that you aren't giving too much scratch.)

 

[polyxenes]

Thank you for the advice on high protein during molting, I'll do that. The hens haven't had scratch all summer (due to our intense heat), just Layena, table scraps and any unfortunate bug or lizard that ventured into the yard.