Silkie Roo Pulling Out Hens Feathers

[BaileyJean]

I have some Splash Silkies. The hens are loosing the feathers on the top of their heads (Crest), and their tail feathers are also thinning. I am wondering if this is from the Rooster? There are not missing feathers on their backs or wings, could it still be from the rooster? My rooster is 2 years old, and fairly big compared to the hens. He is not aggressive to the hens at all. What do you think I should do?

 

[chicmom]

The best advice I can give is, first, to really look them over to make sure they don't have lice or mites. If you don't find anything, then just sit and watch them for about an hour. Then, you'll find out if it's a hen or the rooster that is pulling feathers.

It very well could be from the rooster....Sometimes they do grab hold of the hen's feathers on the crest to hold them still while mating. They usually don't grab onto the tail feathers though...Sometimes the backs of the hens will look worn or scraggly from the rooster mounting them.

This make sme thing a hen could be doing the feather pulling. A clue for you....Is there a hen with all her feathers? She may very well be the one pulling. I had a similar problems like that to discover a NHR hen was pulling the feathers out of each of my chickens, just above the tail. Even the rooster was getting a bald spot. I got rid of that hen. I like my chickens to look pretty. All the feathers eventually grew back.

Good luck and I hope you figure things out,
Sharon