Rhode Island Red With Bare Bottom

[lunkerchicken]

I have a RR that is about 9 months old and I just noticed that all of her bottom feathers are missing! She doesn't appear to be in any distress and the rest of the flock is fine (10 others, all girls). It doesn't look raw or anything like that. There may be one small area that is slightly red but that is it. Any ideas on what it is and how I can help her get her bottom feathers back?? As always, thank you for any suggestions you can offer.

 

[gkeesling]

I can't help with a solution, but I had the same issue with a few of my Plymouth Barr Rock hens. Their fluff came off from around their vent area. At first I thought they had mites so I treated them for that. But, as I was spraying them down I never saw any mites in places I should have seen them. I figure either they were molting, or they were picking their own feathers out. Either way, they still have bare butts and have gotten through the winter ok so far, and still seem to be laying eggs so I don't worry about it anymore.

 

[lunkerchicken]

I haven't noticed the other girls picking at this one but I suppose that could be happening. How do I curb that behavior if that is what it is?