Losing breast feathers

[savvyfarmer]

My 6 RIR layers are losing their breast feathers and are developing a red patch of skin on their breast. Any idea what is going on and how I should treat them? I have tried to attach pictures, without success.

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

They could be rubbing their chests' against the cage wire. Causing some irritation and loss of feathers. Also- they could be starting to molt too.

 

[savvyfarmer]

Thanks, I just got my photo to upload. After doing some research, I think it is an infestation chicken mites or lice. I plan to traet the birds with chicken dust, cleam out the coop and treat it with chlorox and water and give them a shallow tray with DE, sand and the dust to do dirt bathes in. I am also planning to provide vitamins in their water for the next two weeks to help get the feathers going again. I will post my results.

 

[Sylvestor12]

IF they are getting broody, they loose the feathers naturally to provide the right bedding and humidity for the eggs or like JGFolk said, they might be rubbing their bellies, causing red, flaky patches of skin and feather-less spots.