Missing feathers on back and near tail - area is very raw.

[PhoenixAngel429]

Quote:
If you have a rooster, it is excessive intercourse.

 

[chickened]

They probably are molting. Some breeds molt heavier near the tail feathers.

 

[thegoldengirls]

I'm going through the same thing. Two hens look like someone plucked a circular area on thier bumm. Now I have another that is completed featherless from bumm to chest. But, she has pin feathers coming back in on her bottom. I just didn't expect it to look so raw and red. Her crop area is completely bald right now and very bright red. I believe it's just a molt because egg production has dropped significantly.

This one is a little blurry, but it's her crop area.

Pin feathers coming back in.

 

[AmyRey]

I have read that hens pluck the feathers on their undersides when they are sitting on eggs (so their body heat can get to the eggs better?)

 

[dsqard]

I would bet the farm that you have a feather plucker and she is eating the evidence. I have seen mine do this before I increased their protien. Sometimes they feather pluck for the added protien, sometimes they do it out of boredom and sometimes they do it because they are too crowded.

 

[mestaske]

I would say that it must be feather plucking as well. Most of my hens have this, it is most likely from overmating/ pecking order. The hens that are higher up on the pecking order have more feathers. I am thinking of making one of those suet blocks to keep them occupied. I also just think it is my current group. I hate how ugly it is but they don't bleed at least. I am envious when I see pictures of people's flock with all of their hens having all of their feathers, sooo lucky. Good luck, I would like to see the advice.

 

[cherp68]

We had this problem with one of our girls last year, all last summer she looked horrible, feathers missing, skin showing - YUCK. She was ugly, but still laid eggs.
What we finally discovered the problem was, was a lack of calcium. At the time we only had 2 hens. We bought a back of calcium from the farm supply store and started mixing it with their feed and also sprinkling it all over there run. During this past winter the ugly hen grew back all her feathers and now looks beautiful!! She looks like a totally different bird. This also explained why we were getting soft shelled eggs.

 

[LeezyBeezy]

It seems to me, that chicken skin by nature is very red looking. My hen was overmated and had bald spots on the tops of her wings that were angry red, until she molted out (and the rooster had hit the road). Looks like plucking to me... keep us posted.