rooster loses hackle feathers every year

[curlycue212]

every year my 6 yr. old roo molts and his feathers come in and he looks great. By the end of Jan. he loses his hackle feathers on his back leaving just the down feathers. Looks ugly then.
Any info about this. None of the other birds lose any feathers. Not sure if it is bugs or not. Have dusted him in the past several times.

 

[The Golden Egg5]

I think he is just finishing up his molt when this happens. I don't think it is anything to be worried about.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

My first suspicion, given this description, is that he is being henpecked - the hackle feathers are common targets as they are very attractive feathers.

 

[curlycue212]

yes,, but they stay gone all year until the next molt

 

[curlycue212]

i guess could be, but usually he is on roost by himself. the hens roost on another next to him. (have 2 roosts in henhouse) .maybe they do it in the pen during lthe daytime