Question about Chickens loosing feathers

[Jim2448]

i know that chickens molt, however, i have some chickens that have lost some feathers right behind there head.......is that normal or part of the molting process?

 

[NonnasBabies]

Quote:
Sounds like a rough rooster!!

 

[Jim2448]

i don't have any roosters, however, i have seen some of the other hens peck at the bald areas.

 

[Cochin378]

This is completely normal. Chickens molt twice a year, once in the spring and once in the late summer to early fall. It takes about fifteen weeks.The order or sequence in which birds loose their feathers in head, neck, back, breast, stern, thighs, wings, tail.If you are still concerned I would check your birds for lice and I would dust them.

 

[Jim2448]

thanks, that seems to make sense. i didn't realize it was a 15 week process.

 

[Pele]

It's probably a combination of molt and the pecking order. For some reason hens like to peck at the back of each other's head to show who's boss. The hen with the least peck-marks will be your top hen. A bald hen will be the bottom of the pack.