What is this?

[lakeshorenc]

Two of my BR are losing feathers on their heads and necks. I tried to look and see if it was mites. Didn't see any. I did see one pulling at the others feathers. Here are some pictures. Any idea's???

 

[SunAngel]

A third of my hens are looking exactly the same way. I first thought mites, then feather picking, but I am thinking now that they are just molting.

 

[Mrs.Puff]

Usually that is from roosters hanging on to the neck feathers when mating. Sometimes they can peck each other out of boredom if they are cooped all the time.

 

[Mrs.Puff]

They should not be molting this time of year. Usually this happens during the winter or fall.

 

[SunAngel]

I thought so too, but recently I saw several threads talking about hens molting at various times of the year.

I don't have a rooster in with my hens and they are only in the coop from dusk to dawn. I have checked for mites and dusted twice just in case, but I don't see any signs of them.

 

[Mrs.Puff]

If you had them under a white heat lamp, or had lights on them for most of the winter, yes, they could be going through a molt now.