Not Emergency, just query about feather loss

[Deblett]

My 6 month old Gold laced Wyandotte Rooster seems to be losing feathers around his head and neck, no bold spots but I can see white pins? (The straw like things) and he looks and acts very healthy. I have tried to look for lice and can't see any, but he is quite hard to handle. There doesn't seem to be any redness or irritation, no feather loss from his 2 girls who are same age. I can only think he is moulting but I read that moulting doesn't usually occur this young, is that correct?

 

[SueT]

Molting occurs on and off throughout the chicken's life. It sounds like molting to me.

 

[andreanar]

I would dust, or spray them with permethrin just in case of any bugs. Treat the whole flock. and spray coop too. Could the other birds be pulling feathers?

 

[coach723]

If he's got pin feathers it's most likely a molt. There are 'generally normal' times and ages for molt, sometimes mother nature has her own plan. It would be a good idea to check for mites/lice just to make sure (take him off the roost after dark, he will be easier to handle and some mites live in the coop and only feed on the chickens at night), and some observation would probably answer if he's being feather picked. Otherwise it's likely in the very broad range of normal. If he seems fine otherwise I'd just keep an eye on him, and see if it fills in with new feathers.

 

[50-45-1]

I once had a feather picking hen that liked to pluck neck feathers off my rooster.
He was a mess. Bare spots on each side of his neck where those beatiful hackle feathers shoukd be.
It took me a while to figure out which hen it was. But i observed her doing it at dusk as she sat right next to him at night.

 

[andreanar]

This is disgusting, I know, but I had a rat problem once and I think the rats were picking my hens feathers at night! Ewww

 

[Deblett]

I definately don't have a rat problem, but I will double check for mites again this evening, but the post about feather pecking; I had not considered as he is the Roo so didn't consider a hen pecking at him. He is dominant over them, but still not mating or sharing food. So maybe because he is still quite juvenile, my lead hen might be giving him grief. I will observe! Thanks for your comments

 

[Rooster1&2]

This is my first post. So I'm not sure I'm putting it in the right spot. I have 2 6-month old roosters. One of them is picking feathers from his neck. It looks completely bare without any signs of feathers growing in. His skin is pink, but not bleeding. I do see other hens pecking at his neck at times. We have dirt baths and sand available in their outside area. I have also dusted with DE. I will check tonight for mites/lice. Is there anything I can put on his neck to ease the possible itching/pain.

 

[50-45-1]

Hi Rooster1&2,
Your rooster is probably not picking his own neck feathers, doubtfull he could reach them.
It is more likely that one or more of the other chickens is plucking his feathers out.
Yes check for mites, but pickup some anto pick lotion for your hen-pecked-rooster.
Chickens pick up the bad habbit of plucking feathers sometimes because of boredom and being to closely confined, also a lack of protein in there diet can cause it to start. Once a chicken has the habit it is hard to stop.
Welcome to the backyard!

 

[Rooster1&2]

Thank you for your quick reply. I have seen him picking at his neck. I've never seen an actual feather come off, but he is always turning his head around and pecking at his neck. I did buy Pick-No-More cover up lotion and applied it to his neck to keep the others from being attracted to his pink skin. It's always gone the next day. Should I apply it every day? I will buy some higher protein food to see if that helps, but he is the only one losing feathers out of my 15 hens and 2 roosters.