Need Opinions Please!

[Oboistonquack]

Hello! Today one of my easter eggers turned one and I went to bring her her birthday treats and I noticed that her beard is completely gone. She just has a bare chin/neck area. There are not any signs of dried blood so I am thinking that she might just be having a molt. I'm not sure if this is is a weird time for a bird to be experiencing a molt because I know that mature birds usually molt in the fall/winter or around 16-18 months. She is only 12 months and it's the beginning of spring. Do easter eggers usually lose their entire beards in a molt? I have another EE who didn't so I'm thinking that it could be something else. The thought of it being mites has also crossed my mind.

What do you guys think?

 

[etammy]

They do molt around the neck so...But could she be getting plucked by hre flock mates? if you see raw skin or blood, they she is being plcked by another hen and she will need to be kept away from the bully until she gets better.

 

[Oboistonquack]

She is the highest in the flock and there is no sign of blood or raw skin.