The naked hen and the one who might be confused.

[Maka]

Hello!

I wasn’t sure where to put this thread. So here it is.

I have a little Frizzle hen she is sebright frizzle mix so she is teeny. And she is loosing her feathers. Molting? Maybe. however this has been a slow and steady process and she is still laying.

I’m posting this to get to the bottom of this so I can help her.

She is in a run with two other hens and they all have their feathers. They are also not frizzle. I know they can look tough when they molt etc.

Today while watering my girls (it’s been toasty) one hen hopped on another like it was trying to mate it. (Also laying) I’ve never seen anything like this from a hen. Any ideas on why?

I was wondering if this could be why my gal has missing feathers.

I don’t see any signs of plucking.

She has been dusted for mites with permethrin and it’s gotten worse with losing feathers.

Here are some photos let me know what you think:

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Today while watering my girls (it’s been toasty) one hen hopped on another like it was trying to mate it. (Also laying) I’ve never seen anything like this from a hen. Any ideas on why?

Yes, likely this is the reason for the feather loss. The loss pattern is typically seen from being mounted.
It's not that uncommon for another hen to mount another as a show of dominance.

You can try saddles or perhaps add some clutter/entertainment to your run.

I was wondering if this could be why my gal has missing feathers.

Hello!

I wasn’t sure where to put this thread. So here it is.

I have a little Frizzle hen she is sebright frizzle mix so she is teeny. And she is loosing her feathers. Molting? Maybe. however this has been a slow and steady process and she is still laying.

I’m posting this to get to the bottom of this so I can help her.

She is in a run with two other hens and they all have their feathers. They are also not frizzle. I know they can look tough when they molt etc.

Today while watering my girls (it’s been toasty) one hen hopped on another like it was trying to mate it. (Also laying) I’ve never seen anything like this from a hen. Any ideas on why?

I was wondering if this could be why my gal has missing feathers.

I don’t see any signs of plucking.

She has been dusted for mites with permethrin and it’s gotten worse with losing feathers.

Here are some photos let me know what you think:

 

[Maka]

Yes, likely this is the reason for the feather loss. The loss pattern is typically seen from being mounted.
It's not that uncommon for another hen to mount another as a show of dominance.

You can try saddles or perhaps add some clutter/entertainment to your run.

Wow, in all my years lol. I have not seen this behavior. It absolutely sounds like I may need some extra entertainment and a saddle