[thechicken]

Background - we have just come back from 10 days holiday. Our 2 white bantam leghorns have been looked after by nieghbours letting them out in the morning and outting them to bed with mealworm treats most days. The weather has been appaling so they will have been in the covered area probably for some time.

When we returned the non dominant one has suffered a loss of feathers around her neck and chest and when we have been watching them the dominant one has been pecking at her.

Any idea what has caused this behaviour to happen and how do we stop it. One thing we have been doing is saying no when she goes to peck and she stops and have also stopped the mealworms.

We also wondered whether she might just be molting as she had started to lose some feathers on her head prior to us going away?

[ANHBUC]

It is likely moulting and you do get the other hens having an odd peck when they see loose feathers.  You can use purple spray to disguise the pink flesh which may help.  Careful around the neck so you don't get in her eyes (I use a sponge to apply near the head).  There are antipecking sprays but have read on here most people say it doesn't work.  Try hanging a few old CDs up for them to peck at which will be a distraction.

[darkbrowneggs]

Just make sure there are no mites on her, as this can sometimes start pecking behaviour, though it may have been a bit of stress with the change of routines.  Chickens are sometimes more sensitive than we imagine 

[thechicken]

Many thanks for your help. We have checked for mites and there are no visible signs.

We have ordered the spray and CD's are being hung today so we are hopeful we can cure the issue and also not planning on going away for that length of time again - the girls come first!

Do you know how long it will take for her feathers to grow back after moulting?

Is there any issue with the lack of feathers and the winter coming on?

Thanks again
 

[joyfull]

most adult hens will moult over our winter (my houses look like there has been a pillow fight in there at the moment) and they will be fine. some do a gradual moult losing feathers in small areas until they have done the whole lot but others can look like oven ready chickens losing them in one go. I have had birds roosting in trees all year round (even in the heavy snows) and they have all been fit and healthy.