Author Topic: Feather loss on hen's neck? (Read 2416 times)

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?

Part time dabbler · « **Reply #1 on:** September 25, 2017, 12:29:29 pm »

Could it be this one is being bullied?

landroverroy · « **Reply #2 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?

mebnandtrn · « **Reply #3 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

nimbusllama · « **Reply #4 on:** September 26, 2017, 07:54:27 am »

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

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #5 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.