Missing feathers - not broody

[Rick&Chris]

View attachment 1838742 View attachment 1838743 My two Black Stars are missing feathers on their chests and bellies. They are not broody.

We were away last week and they were cooped up in the 7x18 foot run and it was pretty hot out - they only had about a 1.5 hours outside in the fenced area (outside of the run) 2 times during the week.

All of my other girls (we have 10 total) are fully feathered, doesn’t appear to be mites - at least I don’t see any. Stress, heat? Thoughts??

 

[coach723]

Sounds like they may have been feather picked. If they were more confined than usual then boredom or overcrowding may have contributed. Especially since it was just the two of them, that seems most likely. Are they younger than the others, or lower in pecking order? There are so many variables, that it can be a bit of detective work to figure it out. The skin doesn't look irritated, so that is good. I would do some observing to see if any picking continues. Check for mites at night after they've gone to roost, some mites only come out at night to feed, use a flashlight or lantern to check them. Picking will also sometimes happen as they go to roost also as they battle for roosting spots. Also check for any pinfeathers coming in which could indicate that they are molting, it does sometimes happen earlier in the summer for some of them.

 

[Rick&Chris]

Sounds like they may have been feather picked. If they were more confined than usual then boredom or overcrowding may have contributed. Especially since it was just the two of them, that seems most likely. Are they younger than the others, or lower in pecking order? There are so many variables, that it can be a bit of detective work to figure it out. The skin doesn't look irritated, so that is good. I would do some observing to see if any picking continues. Check for mites at night after they've gone to roost, some mites only come out at night to feed, use a flashlight or lantern to check them. Picking will also sometimes happen as they go to roost also as they battle for roosting spots. Also check for any pinfeathers coming in which could indicate that they are molting, it does sometimes happen earlier in the summer for some of them.

Thank you for the quick reply! All 10 of my girls are the same age, approximately 10 months old. Not sure where they are in the pecking order, I don’t really see any of my girls getting picked on. Need to set up a camera out there!

I will go out tonight after dark and see if I can see any mites. Where specifically should I look on them?

 

[coach723]

They are usually easiest to spot around the vent. Look under wings, and separate feathers and look at the skin at the bases. It's always a good idea to check for them any time there is feather loss, but I suspect it's probably feather picking from your pictures.
Any kind of stress can trigger changes in behavior, so hopefully getting them back to their more regular routine will help.
https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

 

[Rick&Chris]

They are usually easiest to spot around the vent. Look under wings, and separate feathers and look at the skin at the bases. It's always a good idea to check for them any time there is feather loss, but I suspect it's probably feather picking from your pictures.
Any kind of stress can trigger changes in behavior, so hopefully getting them back to their more regular routine will help.
https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

I will check them out tonight under the cover of darkness! How long does it take for the feathers to grow back?

 

[Matilda Belle]

Have they been broody at all recently?

 

[coach723]

The feathers will probably not grow back until they molt. At 10 months old they may molt this fall, more likely they won't molt until next year. They could do a partial molt, or feathers may grow in, at this age it's hard to predict. Normally the first adult molt happens once they reach about 18 months, but sometimes they do things that are not 'normal'.

 

[Rick&Chris]

Have they been broody at all recently?

One of my buff Orpington was broody - but not these two

 

[Rick&Chris]

The feathers will probably not grow back until they molt. At 10 months old they may molt this fall, more likely they won't molt until next year. They could do a partial molt, or feathers may grow in, at this age it's hard to predict. Normally the first adult molt happens once they reach about 18 months, but sometimes they do things that are not 'normal'.

Oh boy! I hope the grow in before winter. I don’t want House chickens

Thanks!!