Missing feathers above eye

[PeepsAreForMe]

I noticed yesterday one of my GSL's is missing some feathers above one of her eyes.







She is not bleeding, it just looks like dry red skin underneath, like the skin around her eye. Maybe
she scratched it? Could it be mites or something irritating her? She and her sisters are a year old
and I haven't had any issues so far. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[dawg53]

It could be your roo doing the damage when treading her.

 

[PeepsAreForMe]

Hmm, my husband thought that. But I have 3 girls total and I checked them, they are all ok. I will inspect it more tonight.

 

[jak2002003]

Looks like it just wear and tear from the rooster, and maybe the other hens pecking her sometimes.

It may be she is coming up to the time to moult for old feathers. They start loosing feathers from the head first - and, as they don't have many there to start with, sometimes they can look a little bald.

Make sure the diet is good, and has extra protein for good strong feathers.

I don't think its mites, because her skin and comb look very healthy. Mites would make the skin and comb look dry, whitish, and crumble, or even bleeding in bad cases.

If it gets worse over the nest few weeks she may have a problem. I would just wait and see how it develops over about one month.

 

[dawg53]

Hmm, my husband thought that. But I have 3 girls total and I checked them, they are all ok. I will inspect it more tonight.

She might be your roos favorite.

 

[PeepsAreForMe]

Oooooohh good point! I will have to keep an eye on him! LOL Thanks for your input!

 

[PeepsAreForMe]

Looks like it just wear and tear from the rooster, and maybe the other hens pecking her sometimes.

It may be she is coming up to the time to moult for old feathers. They start loosing feathers from the head first - and, as they don't have many there to start with, sometimes they can look a little bald.

Make sure the diet is good, and has extra protein for good strong feathers.

I don't think its mites, because her skin and comb look very healthy. Mites would make the skin and comb look dry, whitish, and crumble, or even bleeding in bad cases.

If it gets worse over the nest few weeks she may have a problem. I would just wait and see how it develops over about one month.

Thanks jak - they turned 1 on April 1 and I was wondering when they would start moulting. You can't see in this picture, but one or two of them have some white feathers sticking out from the tops of their wings on their backs. Think that is from the rooster also? He has his way with them so fast if you blink you miss it!! So I can't tell if he is grabbing them anywhere.