post-dog attack problem

[feather13]

Help! I noticed today that my favorite hen, a red sex link, has a large bald patch on her stomach. I didn't see any lacerations (although the skin is pink/reddish) and she's not being picked on by the three other hens. But a few weeks ago, a stray husky got into the coop (kids left the door open... ugh) and got a hold of her. I managed to shoo it off before it killed her (it ended up killing one of the other hens). Any ideas what might be going on? Or how to treat her? Thanks for any advice. I feel terrible for her. I've never seen a bald patch on any of my hens before.

 

[Violetsrblu]

Hmm... maybe it's unrelated to the dog attack. Perhaps she's getting ready to go broody? RSLs and other hybrids have been known to go broody.

 

[mikealicia]

Hope it isn't serious for your chicken.

 

[feather13]

Thanks! Do broody hens lose their feathers and go completely bald in some places? She's four years old, for reference. I noticed today that she's also behaving pretty aggressively towards the other two adult hens (I'm keeping her separate from the two month old chicks). She's been pecking them, although isn't hurting them. We've had our fair share of respiratory diseases and predator attacks, but no issues with broodiness.

 

[aart]

Could be a stress molt...I'm surprised you have an RSL that's 4 years old......could be feather mites or lice too.

 

[CrazyChickLady7]

Alot of broody hens will pluck their chest feathers and put them in their nest. That could be your problem.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Alot of broody hens will pluck their chest feathers and put them in their nest. That could be your problem.

Help! I noticed today that my favorite hen, a red sex link, has a large bald patch on her stomach. I didn't see any lacerations (although the skin is pink/reddish) and she's not being picked on by the three other hens. But a few weeks ago, a stray husky got into the coop (kids left the door open... ugh) and got a hold of her. I managed to shoo it off before it killed her (it ended up killing one of the other hens). Any ideas what might be going on? Or how to treat her? Thanks for any advice. I feel terrible for her. I've never seen a bald patch on any of my hens before.

Do a google search for de-pluming mites.