What is causes festher loss

[Debjay01]

I HAVE A TOTAL OF 6 CHICKENS ONE OF WHICH IS MISSING FEATHER ON THE NECK NONE OF THE OTHERS ARE MISSING FESTHERS THE TEMP HAS DROPPED HERE THERE ARE A LOT OF FEATHERS IN THE COOP. ANY REASON WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN

 

[Chicken_tiger_catt]

I HAVE A TOTAL OF 6 CHICKENS ONE OF WHICH IS MISSING FEATHER ON THE NECK NONE OF THE OTHERS ARE MISSING FESTHERS THE TEMP HAS DROPPED HERE THERE ARE A LOT OF FEATHERS IN THE COOP. ANY REASON WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN

probably got in a fight.

 

[TOMTE]

Are they molting?

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Are you on the US side of the world? If so it’s most likely molting.

 

[SilverBirds]

Looks like molting.

 

[sourland]

Sounds like she is molting.

 

[EdgeC]

Do you have a roo? Mine does this on accident to his "favorites" but I have a very large roo. Ratio of 1 Roo : 40 Hens.

 

[SamLockwood]

If it's late summer to fall where you are it's normal for them to molt this time of year: they'll feathers and eventually re-grow them. The process takes anywhere from 3 to 5 weeks depending on how extensive the molt is.

Sometimes a molt is barely noticeable, other times you'll see them lose huge patches of feathers and when the new feather-shafts come in they look like porcupines.

Double check there's no bullying or fightng going on, or that what you're seeing isn't a mite or lice infestation, but otherwise what they need is extra protein while they're growing the new feathers.

You may see some mood changes with a molt: they tend to get less energetic and more grouchy when they're molting.

 

[Debjay01]

Are they molting?

Not sure another one is missing head feathers and the coop has a ton of feathers. THEY ARE just over a year old