Strange Patch of Missing Feathers

Kitana724

In the Brooder
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I found this patch of bare feathers yesterday around the head of one of my chickens. Any idea what could be causing it? There is no bleeding or trauma, just missing feathers.

This is a Rhode Island Red. She is about 3 months old and lives with 23 other mixed breed chickens all the same age. She does not exhibit any other signs of distress. She is eating and drinking normally, and seems to be an appropriate weight. She has been more attention seeking, but that may be due to the extra attention i've been giving since finding this spot. The coop has been muddy and most of the flock has had mud around their heads matted into their feathers, but I haven't found spots on any other birds. I thought this might be lice, so I put some DE in the coop and on the bird. I'm not sure if I should separate her from the rest. My guess would be that the other birds would peck or pull more feathers, but I haven't seen that behavior when I am out there. There doesn't seem to be any imminent threat. I've seen no abnormal poop or other signs of distress. The coop is a blocked off portion of the barn with sand bedding and nest pads in the nesting boxes (https://www.amazon.com/Precision-Pe...=1505171295&sr=8-1&keywords=nesting+box+liner). They have access to an external run which is mostly mud right now.

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Do you have a rooster?
By the way...DE will not get rid or lice and or mites, a permethrin based spray or powder will.
 
I wonder if its a rir thing? I have a girl that had that also had it since we got her she is also rir or more properly a production red. At first I thought it was an injury she didn't molt that first year which was good becuase it gave us her age as we didn't know since she was a full grown laying stray. Anyways the next year she jolted and i noticed during the molt many of the feathers in that area where broken, they grew in fine after molting and broke off again shortly after she resumed laying. Unfortunately I have come to assume it's a breeding defect, possibly weak feathers. We have switched our girls to all flock it has a high protein count I'm hoping it will help next spring when she starts laying again. But untill then i just know to expect a semi balding neck hen...

There was about post about this about a week or 2 ago, lower on the chest.

Anyways as long as no one is bothering her about it she's fine, just keep an eye out for signs of pecking. My girl has it on both sides of her neck
 
My Rhode island reds start their molts in the necks there...I have no idea why...only them...my turkey tom makes it worse by picking at the bare spots while they roost and pulling out even more the bugger....or your other chickens could be simply pecking them out like my ahole tom does
 
She is about 3 months old and lives with 23 other mixed breed chickens all the same age.....My guess would be that the other birds would peck or pull more feather

How much coop and run space do you have (dimensions)?
What type of food/treats do you feed?

It's most likely from plucking/pecking - watch your bird at night when they are roosting - this is prime time for feather plucking, especially if there is not enough roosting space. It's possible it could be final "juvenile molt" but at 3months she should have her adult feathers in. I do see where she has 1 or 2 pin feathers re-growing in. Another possibility - does she stick her neck through fencing to get to grass/weeds - could be rubbed off, but generally you will see some broken feathers - this is all smooth.
 
The age is a typo. They are almost 6 months old. The coop is 12x6 and the run is 22x20. They have 3, 6ft roosts (24ft). I haven't seen any of them sticking their head through the chicken wire to get to the grass, but they just recently finished the last of the grass in the run.

I give them purina layer pellets and use mealworms, kitchen scraps, oyster shell, and some suet-type block treats (mostly mealworms and corn).

I appreciate all of this info. I mostly just want to ensure that it isn't something dire or that will affect the whole flock. And obviously if there is something I can do to fix it, I am willing and able!
 
coop is 12x6.....They have 3, 6ft roosts (24ft)

The coop gives you about 3sq.ft of space for 24birds. A little tight, but if there is a way to provide more roosting space that may help. I took a quick glance at some of your previous posts/threads - looks like nice housing - you mentioned that you have - Buff Orp, Golden Comet, Barred Rock and RIR. The Barred Rock and RIR have strong personalities (nothing wrong with that) but I found with my Barred Rocks they do need a little more "elbow room" than a calmer breed like Buff Orps (for example). Evaluating your roosting space may fix most of your problems.

You have adequate run space - that's great - if you haven't done so - add some outdoor perches for them to get on and out of each other's way. When treat time comes around having multiple areas for treats to be spread out can go a long way in deterring some bullying as well. They may also benefit from some high protein treats like egg or tuna a couple of times a week. Watch to see if the feathers are just being plucked or if they are being eaten which would indicate a need for more protein.

Right now, it's not that serious, but try to curb the plucking/picking - it can become a bad habit - also if they ever draw blood, that can turn into an all out attack.
 
Just wanted to add my two cents worth here. My 9 hens and one rooster were one in May. Mine have started plucking on certain lower pecking order chickens. I have seen the lowest, Nelly my Cream Legbar, (not sure she's a breed,) stand there and groom herself while another hen plucked her! I mean, she doesnt even walk away!? So, once it starts, I guess it's like nail biting. It irritates me alot because I want them beautiful.
I'm not saying your RIR is plucked, but I am saying it's a great place to start. Mine didn't just start plucking, the rooster made naked spots for the flock to start plucking.
Also, I'm proud of myself, because I was gonna suggest way more roosting space, and maybe variety? Mine like poles and flat boards. Some like shavings on the boards and some don't. If I could fit anymore roosting area in coop, I would.
Also, when they go to bed I supervise. What I mean is, I have another Cream Legbar who started out as Nicki Chick, but now I call her Jail Bird. She will GUARD the two entrances to the coop and run off all hens but the Queen. She will pick a roost and chase all others off that roost, even if it's six feet long. I have had dogs who do this. "I'm not playing with this toy, but you guys can't, and if you try there's gonna be problems!"
So, I just sit in a chair with a long stick that I can use to gently "redirect" her focus. Our coop is not the kind a person can walk into. So when the other girls see me "directing", they go on to bed. If not, it takes forever because they can't even enter the coop.
All chickens also have learned the "no" word from me sitting around at bedtime. As soon as they are position ed for sleep, I run and cut the lights while loudly admonishing Jail Bird she better not be pecking anyone for the two seconds I'm not watching. Then, I have a baby monitor inside as well I can listen to. They were babies when we put them in the coop, and from reading this list I was so anxious about predators, the baby minder helped.
Maybe I've gone overboard? Maybe this post is too long. If so, forgive me, I rarely converse with people other than my husband.
When he puts the chickens to bed, they get inside a locked down coop, and that's it. You know, it's like a big ol game of musical chairs in there till everyone gets their pecks out and lands in a seat they don't hate.
Good luck.
 
Katina, I swear I wish i had my old pictures of my rir on this phone to show you. In my case it's not a pecking use, unless she's pecking herself. My rir Is the head hen this will be her 3rd winter, its just something she had always had. I honestly think at least for my own girl it's a feather defect or a low protein issue.
 

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