Missing neck feathers

[beccaboo254]

I'm posting this here too hoping someone has an idea. My young RIR is missing her neck feathers. At first I thought they were just slow growing in after the down fell out but it's been way too long for that. She's healthy except for this. I've never seen anyone (two other chickens, one close to her in age and one adult hen) pick on her and I watch them a LOT. She and the buff get into "chest bumping" spats but no one messes with her head and neck. Not even when I've checked them at night. She dust bathes regularly and I keep DE down I the bath area, and I haven't had any mite/lice issues in the past. What could be causing this?!

 

[BayBay Peepers]

It's possible she's going through a molt. Bump up her protein for a bit it will help the feathers grow.

 

[BayBay Peepers]

Also just in case, you may want to sift through the feathers for any mites or lice.

 

[beccaboo254]

It's possible she's going through a molt.  Bump up her protein for a bit it will help the feathers grow. 

Even at only 9-10 weeks old???

 

[beccaboo254]

Also just in case, you may want to sift through the feathers for any mites or lice.

I've been looking and I may give her a lice dusting just in case.

 

[BayBay Peepers]

They can go through a juvenile molt. It wouldn't hurt to dust her down, but give her some high protein foods too.

 

[BayBay Peepers]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/257972/juvenile-molt

You're not alone. This isn't a long thread, but it may help you start finding what you're looking for.

 

[beccaboo254]

They can go through a juvenile molt.  It wouldn't hurt to dust her down, but give her some high protein foods too.

I'm both relieved and surprised! I had no idea they could molt this young!! I'll dust her just in case but now I won't be as panicked!! My 1 year old EE is also molting but VERY slowly....:-/

 

[BayBay Peepers]

no need to worry if they're all otherwise healthy. Some molt very hard and some so slowly you almost don't notice.

 

[beccaboo254]

Thanks!!! Now I'll just dust everyone just in case and add more catfood in to their diet! Extra mealworms too! Luckily they're bug catching machines so that'll help protein too.