missing feathers around the neck only

[lobojoe]

what would make the feathers go missing around just the upper neck part of my Chickens? Its only happening to a couple but thats a couple to many for me

 

[i'mclucked]

I have the same problem ,with one of my hens. I thought it was mites , but I saw the hen picking at herself . They can pick a perfect circle around there neck.

 

[babsbag]

I have one that has a bald head, or at least the back of her head. I think my roo did it. They can be pretty bossy.

 

[chookchick]

Molting, especially a mini-molt, often shows at the neck first. You will see feathers under the roosts, and if you look closely, the new quills coming in. Watch them for a long period to see if pecking, roosters are the problem.

 

[lobojoe]

thank you all for your input and since I have no Rooster I know that cant be the problem. maybe they are all having a turkey envey moment *LOL*

 

[Kasie]

im not to sure but would lice from hay cause that??? not sure about your set up but thats just a thought.... OR like u said Turkey envey

good luck though!

 

[Chicken World Mom]

Hi, I am having a similar problem, but only with my silkies.Some of them are bald all under their necks. The same ones are also having trouble with dirty butts and protruding oviducts. This morning I had to give too of them a bath, which by the way they loved especially being blw dried, and I put hemorrhoid cream on them. Also isolated them in a cage by themselves. I am thinking this must be nutritional or??? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[flowerchicks]

My RIR has had this going on for about a month now. At first I thought maybe my silkie roo got brave and was doing it, but I have never seen him near her. None of my other hens are missing feathers, including the two I know he is mating with. The skin doesnt look red, just missing feathers, and quite a few. She seems to be acting normal, but she looks horrible. I guess it could be the start of a moult but I dont see any feathers growing back.

 

[aveca]

Quote:
What breed? I have had several do this and one of the roosters grew back strange feathers looks like one of those vultures the feather grew back just weird very long on the neck and strange but only on this rooster , These birds are lice dusted every spring and fall so its not that, it might be a genetic anomoly, plus this rooster is very lame and it is unknown weather he has some kind of a fracture ,he has no heat in feet and feet were washed and inspected they have nothing unusual so the vet thinks he has a high fracture vet didnt really want to use xray it can render them infertile thou she said this might not want to be a trait you want to pass on, strange cause the rest of his feathers are very shiney and healthy ..strange he was perfectly normal until this spring..We did have a problem with a neighbor kid who was tormenting the rooster, he is banned from here now..rooster is in pen by himself, no others to peck, vet said she is seeing a lot of this , took skin samples looking for fungus or skin infection,thou she said there is no visible sign of any kind of infection on the skin took some feed for analasis for overload of pestasides..poss gas well drilling in the area and ground water..as of yet unknown, we have had many molts over the years and some very pitiful and all recovered these are not recovering, she felt some of the hens were picking on each other but took samples from neck area to be sure..some are tottaly unaffected.

 

[fiberart57]

My Australorpe has the same problem but I think it was was caused by the other birds picking on her when she decided to become broody and sit in the nest box all day. I think they were trying to get her out of there.

I've heard that they'll molt at 18 months and then the missing feathers will grow back. I'm wondering if I should put some sunscreen on her.

Mary