Red Hen is losing neck feathers...

[nanapapa]

Our little hen is losing her feathers on her neck. Started with little square 1/2" spot but seems to be spreading. She is eating and laying eggs.

 

[Eggcessive]

Is she old enough to start a molt(16-18 months old?) I noticed one of my RIR cockerels this evening missing some neck feathers, and I think one of his roost mates has been pulling out his feathers at night. I would check for lice and mites, especially around the vent, but it may be feather picking. They may need a little boost in their protein in the feed, a little more room, or more to occupy their time.

 

[sourland]

It sounds as if she may be starting to molt.

 

[Wyandottes7]

How old is she? It could be the beginning of molting. My birds always start molting their neck and head feathers first. Birds usually molt for their first time in the fall of their first year, and then molt once a year afterwards.

Birds might also be pecking her feathers out. Observe your chickens, and see if any bird in particular is trying to pull feathers out. Watch for pecking, too. If you see a chicken that seems to be the problem, isolate it for two weeks, and then introduce her back to the flock. She will be the lowest in the pecking order then, and will not be able to pick on anybody.

Do you have a rooster? When a rooster mounts hens, it grabs onto their head/neck feathers, which can pull some feathers out.

 

[nanapapa]

Thank you! I will try all of the above. Rosie is the gentle one but we only have 3 and no rooster.