The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: thegranger on September 24, 2017, 11:46:24 am

Title: Feather loss on hen's neck?
Post by: thegranger on September 24, 2017, 11:46:24 am

Hi.  I have a small flock of 5 hens.  One of the hens has bad feather loss round her neck and chest.  I had originally thought she was moulting, but it's been a couple of months now and no sign of improvement.  The other four birds are fine, which makes me doubt if it is lice / mites. 

Any thoughts? 

Title: Re: Feather loss on hen's neck?
Post by: Part time dabbler on September 25, 2017, 12:29:29 pm

Could it be this one is being bullied?

Title: Re: Feather loss on hen's neck?
Post by: landroverroy on September 25, 2017, 01:08:50 pm

Is she reaching through wire to get at something on the other side, and so wearing the feathers away?

Title: Re: Feather loss on hen's neck?
Post by: mebnandtrn on September 25, 2017, 04:27:50 pm

Sorry to hijack the original post, but same question but on their back? Looks completely plucked and has done so for months now. Otherwise healthy looking. Thanks

Title: Re: Feather loss on hen's neck?
Post by: nimbusllama on September 26, 2017, 07:54:27 am

Could it be this?
https://poultrykeeper.com/external-problems/depluming-mites/

Title: Re: Feather loss on hen's neck?
Post by: Marches Farmer on September 26, 2017, 10:48:52 am

It generally takes the feathers the same amount of time to grow back as it did for them to drop out over the moult, so a long moult means they look like a mangled feather duster for ages.  Bullying will often be one bird pecking at one particular spot - feathers around the vent are often a favourite but back and neck can come close.  A vigorous cockerel can also make them bare on the back and neck, particularly if he favours one hen above the others.  Depluming mite is quite unusual.