Why has my BJG lost her neck feathers???

[DOnSoCalOC]

Can you help me figure out "why" my girl has lost these neck feathers???
Thank you!

 

[Yay Chicks!]

I would guess that they are being plucked out.

 

[DOnSoCalOC]

You think so? That was my first thought, but then I didn't think so much because they are under her neck. She is our most docile of the bunch though. Everyone is mean to her, but she is not mean to anyone back. We have our PR, BR, GLW, EE. The PR is the queen of the flock, followed closely by the BR, then the EE who is the smallest of the bunch, the GLW, and last is my "Penny" BJG. She is the largest of all of them and yet the most docile.

 

[Yay Chicks!]

A couple of mine pick the feathers out of the neck of my BR. They don't attack her, they do it almost absentmindedly.

 

[DOnSoCalOC]

A couple of mine pick the feathers out of the neck of my BR. They don't attack her, they do it almost absentmindedly.

Hmmm, that's interesting. I noticed that some are starting to grow back in. She is larger, and stands taller, than the rest; so I guess it makes sense that they would pick at her there seeing that their heads come up to about there on her, especially my EE who is the smallest of the bunch.

I wasn't sure if it was mites/lice/or picking. I do give them all DE dust baths and they dust freely in the yard. I have sprayed down the coop with a spray I made with 100proof vodka/eucalyptus essential oil/water, to kill mites and keep at bay. I spray it and leave everything opened until it dries so that the oil scent isn't too strong. The alcohol is used to disperse the oil in the water and then it evaporates with the water. I just don't remember the ratio and I can't find my "recipe".

Thank you!