Munched on feathers?

[Super Chickenman]

I need help. I have a hen that has feathers in certian areas, such as the middle of the breast, that practically look like twigs. There is no "fluf". They kinda look like wintertime twigs.

There are even areas that have no feathers at all near some of these twiggie areas. I have read that some mites and fleas will eat feathers so we checked her over. No sign of them. We dusted anyway with sevin. I use a ton of wood ash and DE in the dusting boxes, coop and other areas. There is no sign of red spots or any biting or any kind of egg sacks.

I don't have a camera that can take a pix and put it on the internet. Any other ideas or suggestions? She is the only one to look like this. Last fall, she was a fully feathered chicken.

 

[ParadiseFoundFarm]

Sounds like she, or one of her flockmates is doing it. Most likely, it's her doing it to herself. Boredom or anxiety would be the cause. If it looks like it could become a problem, you could put som blucoat on it to discourage picking.

 

[elmo]

Could she be molting? Sometimes birds will get bald patches during a molt, and new feathers growing in are sheathed in a papery coating that makes them look like sort of like sticks. When the sheath comes off, the feather fluffs out.

Try posting a picture.

 

[ParadiseFoundFarm]

Quote:
Good point Elmo. Also there is a situation/malady where the new feather's sheaths won't come off.