Strange Feather Issue

[Beachy_Hen]

This hen started losing feathers on the front of her throat a couple of weeks ago. It looked almost as if they had been cut straight across with scissors. Since then, she has continued to lose feathers around the sides and now the back. She now has a ring around her entire neck with what look like chopped off feathers. It is still most prominent in the front. She acts perfectly fine and is eating and drinking as usual. I haven’t noticed anyone picking on her or any anomalies on the skin. Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

If you’re curious, she’s a Cuckoo Marans/Crested Cream Legbar cross, which doesn’t produce as cool an egg as one may expect.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I see new feathers coming in. Looks like a partial neck molt to me. Another option is someone is plucking her feathers out.

 

[Beachy_Hen]

I see new feathers coming in. Looks like a partial neck molt to me. Another option is someone is plucking her feathers out.

Thank you! Mine haven’t molted in several years and I’ve never seen a neck molt. Didn’t even know that was a thing. I’ll look into it. When mine have molted it was just on their backs. Thanks again!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I see neck molts generally in spring on birds that aren't really big egg producers. Not all do it, just a few.

 

[Beachy_Hen]

I see neck molts generally in spring on birds that aren't really big egg producers. Not all do it, just a few.

Thanks again for the info. I did some googling since your last response. This girl lays nearly every day and has continued to. It’s a first for me. I appreciate your input.

 

[ellend]

Is there something she could be sticking her head through and damaging the feathers when she gets to the "to big to fit through this hole" point?

 

[Beachy_Hen]

Is there something she could be sticking her head through and damaging the feathers when she gets to the "to big to fit through this hole" point?

Great suggestion! Not that I can find. She’s the only one with this out of 21 adult birds so I assumed it was something along these lines. I’ll look around again. Thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I see new feathers coming in which means they either molted out or were pulled completely out. Damaged and broken feathers do not grow back generally until fall.