losing feathers

[Donnie Millard]

Hi
I've been raising chickens for a couple years with no problem. but I've noticed that some of my hens are loosing their feathers just above their tails. My question is what might be causing this and how do I treat it.

Thank you Donnie

 

[snow5164]

My hen who has that is laying eggs and seems fine , she has a fluffy butt and a bare spot around her tail ....

I just thought she was getting picked on ??

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome to our BYC community. I hope you enjoy being a member as much as I do.

Are you sure it is not moult? If you are in the northern hemisphere, moult is just starting. I have a few girls beginning to look decidedly scruffy and the pen and coop are starting to be scattered with feathers. It can be quite concerning if you haven't seen it before. Some birds lose patches of feathers in particular areas like the neck chest or back and tail. Some can lose almost all of them and look like a badly prepared oven roast. Some birds you can hardly tell they are moulting until you realise that they look vibrant and glowing again.

 

[@jacobsflock]

She is probably moulting, right before the tail is a common spot for a molt to start because it is near the preen gland.
You may also want to see if she is getting picked on by other birds

 

[Flockandfowl46]

Above is true it could also be over zealous breeding if you have a roo...she could be his favorite