Tom's breast feathers going bald?

[onthespot]

The midget white tom I have in with two girls has lately gone bald on both breasts, very even, like he is plucking himself. The other tom, not with the girs, has not been going bald, neither has the bourbon red tom right next door. Is this part of mating behavior? Is he getting ready to brood some babies?

 

[onthespot]

never mind...

I read in a different forum it is from him pacing the wire and giving the evil eye to the bourbon reds next door... He shouldn't do that. When he shows off his meaty breast all I can think of is how yummy it would taste if it was nicely golden browned with whole fresh rosemary herbs rubbed all over it and some salt and pepper...

 

[wohneli]

 

[ivan3]

We had this problem with the chicken wire. After switching to 1"x2" welded wire fencing all the toms quit looking like they were trying to prepare themselves for the table.

 

[chickenlittle32]

Our tom lost his breast feathers last year from breeding. That could also be another reason.