What is this?

[GinaNewYork]

I'm babysitting my neighbor's chickens and one has this sudden huge bald spot. Is this molting? Lice? She's walking just fine and eating and alert. I see some feather shafts and pieces of feathers, but it is the north and it is cold -

 

[etammy]

I bet someone is plucking those feathers, maybe even she is plucking while on the roost. If they are cooped up for long periods of time they misbehave and pick on each other. Winter is a good time to get on each others nerves. Try to get them outside for a bit, give them some hay to kick around or half heads of cabbage to peck at, may help.

 

[GinaNewYork]

Thank you so much. This makes sense. The five chickens were locked in for five days because of snow and ice. They don't seem to be bothering each other when I observe them at all. The floor is covered in hay, but they're usually out all day and don't like being locked up.

 

[roostersandhens]

The balled spot does look red. If it is mites you will want to make a DE dust bath. Sence it is red that hen is prob on the bottom of the pecking order!