Skin Redness and Feather Loss on Head

[Appleby2003]

This poor girls head has looked like this for about a calendar year. She endured one PA winter and I would like to give her a full 'head of hair' for this coming winter. Any advice on what's going on? Mites?? It hasn't gotten any smaller of larger in the year. Just that patch.

IMG_20180812_190832532

 

[coach723]

Do you have a rooster, or a dominant hen that mounts? That's a common reason for feather loss on the back of the head like that, that's where they grab with the beak to hold on. Also possible that she's getting feather picked, maybe on the roosts at night.
Always a good idea to check for lice/mites : https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

 

[Appleby2003]

Rooster no, dominant Hen that sometimes hitches a ride, yes. Thank you for the link on Mites/Lice, I'll take a look when I get home.

But let's say it's from abuse. Should I worry about her winter hardiness (frost bite ect)? Any way to get them to knock it off on that spot? I am with them A LOT and have never seen any pecking in that area but who know's what goes on when I'm not around.

 

[coach723]

I don't think there is any more risk of frostbite than the usual. The feathers should hopefully fill in when she molts, but it may continue to happen if the same hen continues doing that.