/ Register

  1. If this is your first time on BYC, we suggest you start with one of these three options:
    Raising Chickens Chicken Coops Join BYC
    Not a member yet? join BYC here & then introduce yourself in our community forum here.

Losing feathers

Discussion in 'Managing Your Flock' started by Loonise, Dec 6, 2014.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Dec 6, 2014 #1
    Loonise

    Loonise Hatching

    2
    0
    7
    Jul 30, 2014
    Hello.
    One of my hens seems to be losing a lot of feathers especially on her head.
    It has rained a lot during the last few days but they do have perches up off the ground and their coop is covered with a roof.
    What should I do?
     
  2. Dec 6, 2014 #2
    TwoCrows

    TwoCrows Bird is the Word Staff Member Premium Member 7 Years

    34,801
    18,539
    1,042
    Mar 21, 2011
    New Mexico, USA
    My Coop
    Hello there and welcome to BYC! [​IMG]

    Sounds like molting. This is the season for molting. They usually start at the head and neck, then the tail, breast, wings and then the back of the body. Are you seeing a lot of pin feathers at the head? Pin feathers look like porcupine quills, (for a lack of a better description) and have a skin casing around the newly growing feathers.

    Other reasons a bird looses feathers is mites, others aggressively yanking them out or a skin fungus among other reasons for illness. But I have a good feeling your hen is molting. :)
     
  3. Dec 7, 2014 #3
    Loonise

    Loonise Hatching

    2
    0
    7
    Jul 30, 2014
    Thank you!

    I do see pin feathers coming in around her head!
     

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by: