[moomoos42]

Hi everyone.
Can you advise me please?
 We got our ex-bats in October and they are nearly fully feathered now.
 However Sybil has a bald head! it's quite a large patch behind her comb.
There are also two lumps, like small peas on her head. I think she has been scratching her head but she is also the chief feather puller and when she pulls feathers from the others they grab the back of her head to tell her off. So that could be causing it.
Can i put anything on her head to stop her or the others having a go at it?
I've used the violet spray but i can't use that on her head.
Thanks

[compostqueen]

You can use the violet spray on her head if you're very careful and shield her eyes. I have done it single-handedly but I wouldn't recommend it    It's a case of two hands being better than one.  Punk rock chick 

[joyfull]

or even tip a little onto a plate then use a cotton bud - some ex batts though do take a long while to feather up (and not all get all their feathers back). I am surprised she can pull out feathers from the others as they usually have had their beaks clipped.
It is also perfectly normal for older hens to not have feathers at the back of their combs so there is probably nothing wrong with her (a photo may help to determine this  ).

[Casey76]

If you can get hold of her(!) take a close look at the "lumps" Sometimes chickens can get ingrowing feathers which can get nasty (just like our own ingrowing hairs).  So bathing with warm salt water might help (if this is what they look like).

With regards to the purple spray, you can always spray a paintbrush and "paint" the spray onto relevant sections (or take the spray part off (if it's not pressurized) and use a cotton swab or paintbrush , dip in, and paint

[compostqueen]

I never thought of the cotton bud trick (being a dope) and I did the hand in front of her eyes just like at the hairdresser 

[Sassy]

Ooooooh purple hands!

[moomoos42]

Thanks everyone! I'm sorry it's been a few days since i've been able to reply to all your good advice, disabled hubby not good so Gals have had mum-in-law helping, spoilt chickens!!
Anyway i will try to get a picture on here.
Mum-in-law says they're all getting feathers back  and Sybil seems to have a downy covering on the back of her head. (new pair of eyes!)
i looked at Sybils lumps when i let them out this morning and they don't seem infected or anything.
If i can rope in my lovely mum-in-law again (79 but can still catch chickens!!) i'll take a picture of the back of her head (Sybil's not mum-in-laws )
Thanks again