Missing head feathers

[Eddie Narramore]

i have white crested black polish roosters missing top of head feathers. I’ve tried using 7-dust several times to no avail. The actual skin has not been broken.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi

It looks like he is being feather pecked by other birds. I’m afraid it’s a downside of the polish breed. Their crests are so interesting looking that other birds can’t help but peck at them. Is he in a mixed breed flock?

 

[ChickenGirl555]

I hope you find good info here like I have, there are so many chicken experts here to help you!

 

[tuesdaze]

I don't have any experience with Polish, but some of my roosters were getting bald heads. I did some research and I read that when roosters are molting, it starts with the head feathers. That turned out to be the case with my roos. Maybe that's a possibility for your guy.

 

[Pyxis]

That poor guy is definitely being picked by the other birds. You can see the feather shafts still in his head where the other birds have broken off the tops of the feathers. Unfortunately he will not grow new feathers in until those shafts are molted out.

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[peeper89]

that chicken is plucked!

 

[Eddie Narramore]

i have white crested black polish roosters missing top of head feathers. I’ve tried using 7-dust several times to no avail. The actual skin has not been broken.

It’s not being picked at by other chickens Or It’s skin would be broken and bleeding but it’s not it’s clean and undamaged don’t you think

 

[Pyxis]

No, it's definitely other chickens. Bugs just don't cause that type of damage. They aren't trying to hurt him, they just find the crest feathers too enticing to pass up. You can try applying some bad tasting stuff to them like pick no more or bitter apple spray, but like I said, the feathers aren't going to come back until he molts the damaged shafts out, so you'd just be preventing further damage - which you should do.