Red neck and lost neck feathers under chin?

[connieconnie]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone knew what might be happening to my maran cross cream legbar hen? And if so what I might be able to do to help her!

She has a patch of red and featherless skin under her chin along her throat. It looks inflamed and red the closer to her chin. It doesn't seem to bother her and she does seem to scratch or hide it. She's laying well and running around free range in our garden as happy as ever. It started in February this year and was hardly noticeable, but has now grown so it reaches 3 inches down from her chin.

Hoping someone might have seen this before and have some ideas on things I could try

P.s. her name is Katsu and she says hello

 

[50-45-1]

Is she your only hen, or is she with others?

 

[CombNWattles]

Hi Katsu!
That looks like feather picking to me. Olga here has the same issue:

Birds pick at each other if they are bored or have a nutritional deficiency. You said it started in February; my birds get serious cabin fever around that time and picking increases. Even well-fed and entertained birds will pick occasionally; I don’t consider it a problem in mild cases like Katsu’s or Olga’s.

The reddening of the skin is natural. I’m not sure why, but exposed chicken skin does that. I don’t think it’s sunburn.

To be on the safe side, I would check her for mites. They can cause feather loss, but I’d expect it to be more widespread. Still, can’t hurt to check.

Keep an eye out for scabs or injuries on the bare place, but as long as she’s acting normal I wouldn’t worry.

Just for laughs, here’s Raven looking red during a hard molt:

 

[connieconnie]

Hi Katsu!
That looks like feather picking to me. Olga here has the same issue:
View attachment 3864439
View attachment 3864442

Birds pick at each other if they are bored or have a nutritional deficiency. You said it started in February; my birds get serious cabin fever around that time and picking increases. Even well-fed and entertained birds will pick occasionally; I don’t consider it a problem in mild cases like Katsu’s or Olga’s.

The reddening of the skin is natural. I’m not sure why, but exposed chicken skin does that. I don’t think it’s sunburn.

To be on the safe side, I would check her for mites. They can cause feather loss, but I’d expect it to be more widespread. Still, can’t hurt to check.

Keep an eye out for scabs or injuries on the bare place, but as long as she’s acting normal I wouldn’t worry.

Just for laughs, here’s Raven looking red during a hard molt:
View attachment 3864458

Thank you so much for the reassurance! I've checked up close and there doesn't seem to be any mites or infestation is the feather picking done herself or by others? As Katsu is normally the top bird!

 

[CombNWattles]

Thank you so much for the reassurance! I've checked up close and there doesn't seem to be any mites or infestation is the feather picking done herself or by others? As Katsu is normally the top bird!

I’m glad!
Due to the location, I don’t think she’s pulling them out herself. It is unusual to see picking on a high-ranking bird, but sometimes they will tolerate picking from other high-status birds. Do you have a rooster, or another hen that’s at or near Katsu’s level in the pecking order? If so, they might be the culprit.
Also, keep an eye out for feather eaters (can be a sign of nutritional deficiency). My Wyandotte Lacy will pluck the occasional feather and gobble it down. The others tolerate this more than aggressive plucking for some reason; maybe that’s where Katsu’s feathers are going.