Question

[PVILLAGO]

 

[Shabby Chic-Hens]

That is a hen, who has been either viciously mated by a rooster, or has been picked on.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Do you have a rooster or a cockerel? That is probably mating damage if you do. Part of the mating act requires the boy to grab the girl by the back of the head. That is her signal to raise her tail out of the way so he can hit the target. There would be no fertile eggs without the head grab.

That is more common when you have an immature cockerel instead of a mature rooster but it can happen with any male. Immature cockerels may not have perfected their technique or may not have the hen's full cooperation. Some hens are more prone to that than others. They can have "weak" or brittle feathers that break or come out easily. I don't see any obvious feather damage where his feet would stand so it may not be brittle feathers.

From what I've seen I don't think that is from pecking by other hens. When I've seen pecking to remove feathers it's usually around the throat or around the vent.

I guess it is possible some predator got hold of her there and she lost feathers in getting away.

When chickens fight they often peck at the head. Pecking the head is the easiest way for them to kill each other so it is a pretty common target in a fight, especially if ien gives up and quits fighting.

 

[PVILLAGO]

That is a hen, who has been either viciously mated by a rooster, or has been picked on.

I have two reds like this and game cameras. There's no picking going on that's why I'm at a loss.??

 

[Shabby Chic-Hens]

I have two reds like this and game cameras. There's no picking going on that's why I'm at a loss.??

Ghost chickens then? Lol. Just joking.
I am at a loss too. What could be doing that that is off camera?

 

[Mrs. K]

I think she stuck her head into something and pulled it back out, tearing feathers? I had a hen do that, and it kind of looked like that.