Strip of back end bare!!

[DebraMarvinchicks]

One of my leg horns is bare in the back and like a long strip up. My chickens are just a year old and I’ve never seen this. Very concerned because I have not lost a chicken yet! I can’t get a pic right now because I’m babysitting. Any suggestions would be of great help! Thank you

 

[littledog]

Are they with a rooster? He could be ripping up her feathers when he breeds her.

If not, she may have ripped feathers out getting caught on something - did this happen all of a sudden, more gradually, or is it something you just noticed? Is it just a strip on her back that's missing feathers, or does her skin look cut or grazed? Is she eating, drinking, acting normal?

It's the wrong time of year for moulting, so it's probably not that, unless you live in the Southern Hemisphere? You can put your location in your profile - it's helpful to know what part of the world you live in - you'll get better answers to your questions depending on the type of climate you live in.

 

[DebraMarvinchicks]

Are they with a rooster? He could be ripping up her feathers when he breeds her.

If not, she may have ripped feathers out getting caught on something - did this happen all of a sudden, more gradually, or is it something you just noticed? Is it just a strip on her back that's missing feathers, or does her skin look cut or grazed? Is she eating, drinking, acting normal?

It's the wrong time of year for moulting, so it's probably not that, unless you live in the Southern Hemisphere? You can put your location in your profile - it's helpful to know what part of the world you live in - you'll get better answers to your questions depending on the type of climate you live in.

Not with a rooster I live in northern Ohio
Just noticed it this morning

 

[sourland]

Flock mates are very likely feather pecking/plucking her.

 

[Eggcessive]

Is she being feather picked by others? How much room are they in? Does she get out to roam? What are you feeding?

 

[DebraMarvinchicks]

Flock mates are very likely feather pecking/plucking her.

Will she be okay? Should I spray back end with anything? She is acting fine and eating

 

[DebraMarvinchicks]

Is she being feather picked by others? How much room are they in? Does she get out to roam? What are you feeding?

Lots of room inside and outside. I’m assuming being feather picked. Feeding Kalmbach layer pellets

 

[Eggcessive]

Watch for one hen to peck other birds or she may let one groom her. Do any others have feather loss? Boredom from not getting out to roam can lead to feather picking.