What's wrong with my hen?

[PearlTheDuck]

I just noticed this today. She seems to be molting but this doesn't look good to me. She's acting normal.

 

[Conan]

Is she trying to sit on eggs? Sometimes they will pluck out their own chest feathers to better heat their eggs. My Bantam Cochin does that...

 

[PearlTheDuck]

Is she trying to sit on eggs? Sometimes they will pluck out their own chest feathers to better heat their eggs. My Bantam Cochin does that...

No, she doesn't like chicks and has never tried to sit on eggs lol

 

[Conan]

No, she doesn't like chicks and has never tried to sit on eggs lol

Hah! Well, I hope someone else has some input for ya with more experience than I

 

[ChickNanny13]

It looks like the area under her vent?
How old is she?
Has she started laying yet?
If so when did she lay last?
Is the area warm/hot to touch?
Eating/drinking/pooing?
Is she with others?

Edited - Oh it's her crop area. What kind of feeder do you have? Is it possible she's "rubbing" up against it or something? Is she doing the plucking or some other bird?

They do "pluck" when broody but under them; between their legs, the skin against the eggs for humidity/warmth.

 

[HenniesInMyHeart]

I can't tell for sure, but it looks like her crop may be inflamed? Poor little one. I will keep you two in my thoughts.

 

[PearlTheDuck]

It looks like the area under her vent?
How old is she?
Has she started laying yet?
If so when did she lay last?
Is the area warm/hot to touch?
Eating/drinking/pooing?
Is she with others?

Edited - Oh it's her crop area. What kind of feeder do you have? Is it possible she's "rubbing" up against it or something? Is she doing the plucking or some other bird?

They do "pluck" when broody but under them; between their legs, the skin against the eggs for humidity/warmth.

We use a short metal pan for their feed, I don't think she could rub up against it. Someone else told me it could be mites? Do you know anything about that?

 

[ChickNanny13]

Possible but thinking more like rubbing up against the feeder.
Check her vent area & under her wings, push the feathers apart & look close to her skin and on the feather shaft, do you see any tiny crawly bugs? If it is mites and you have other chickens, they may have it too as well as in the coop. But sounds like she's the only one affected ... Have you seen her plucking herself? Have you seen others plucking her? Time to call for some help ....

@Wyorp Rock @WVduckchick @casportpony @azygous

 

[PearlTheDuck]

Possible but thinking more like rubbing up against the feeder.
Check her vent area & under her wings, push the feathers apart & look close to her skin and on the feather shaft, do you see any tiny crawly bugs? If it is mites and you have other chickens, they may have it too as well as in the coop. But sounds like she's the only one affected ... Have you seen her plucking herself? Have you seen others plucking her? Time to call for some help ....

@Wyorp Rock @WVduckchick @casportpony @azygous

I haven't witnessed her or any of the others plucking her. It's 1AM here so I can't check right now but I will in the morning!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I agree with @ChickNanny13 it looks like the feathers are either being rubbed off or plucked out. Watch her to see if she is plucking her own feathers out or if she has someone doing it for her. (observe her roosting mates at night to see if the picking is happening at night)

Check her over really well for external parasites and also make sure her crop is emptying overnight (full at night/empty in the morning before eating/drinking).

You can apply a little BluKote to help hide the redness.

What type of food/treats do you feed? Feather picking can be from boredom, lack of space, not enough protein or you may just have bird that has a bad habit. If your feed is fairly low in protein, add extra protein to your flock's diet, extra vitamins once a week won't hurt. Lack of space and boredom leads to unwanted behavior, add perches to your run, hang veggies/fruit and try to keep them occupied.

Let us know how she's doing.