My Chicken has a huge bald spot, Please help!

[gembolina]

Hi Guys, I am new to this so please bare with me... we have had our chickens for almost a year now and our speckled black hen has a huge bald spot just underneath her bum. The skin showing is very red, is this normal or is there something we can do for her? She seems happy enough. Thanks,

 

[LynneP]

Is it more or less circular and is the skin otherwise healthy-looking? I had this problem last week with a half-broody hen. She had been making an area bald, on her own, to make skin contact with eggs. It was about 2 nches below the vent and part way between her legs. I didn;t notice it until they were on a platform, bent over for treats. I was lucky- the habit passed and she seems to be losing the hormonal urge and going back to normal.

I'm not syaing this is *definitely* what it is for your girl, though, because feather loss can have so many causes...

 

[gembolina]

Hi, yes i is a round patch, the skin looks fine just very red, it is below the vent. Maybe she is getting broody again but unsure if she is as the weather here is very cold- it has been snowing etc and freezing over alot?