[daisy1990]

we have a one year old hen who has been broody three times this year.  She stopped again a few days ago but today has pulled so many feather from her chest that she looks like a plucked chicken!  i have put purple spray on her.  One of our new chicks has just started to lay and we have found an eaten egg three days in a row so our older hen may be the culprit?  The other eggs are left intact.  Is there any reason for this behavior and anything we can do to help?

The hens all free range in 1/4 acre and are fed layers pellets with corn and mealworms as an occasional treat.  They have access to four grit pots and water all day

Thanks for any suggestions

[bantam novice]

Many broody hens will pluck out their chest feathers.  It is so they can keep the eggs warment and use the sweat as a way of adding humidity if necessary.

[daisy1990]

thanks it looks so alarming! she is also looking generally straggly so may be moulting too? I didnt realise this could leave them looking completely bald