[jackie]

ONE OF MY GIRLS HAS STARTED TO PLUCK HER FEATHERS OUT FROM HER CHEST. SHE'S ALMOST BALD!! ANY IDEAS WHY SHE'S DOING IT AND HOW CAN I STOP HER?

[Pretty Chick]

Hi Jackie

How old is she?
Is she broody?
Is she eating and drinking well?
Altogether, how many chickens do you have?

[Mulberry1990]

Our vet said the three main causes of this are: Loneliness, Stress or Boredom.

[fethoboy]

she could be about to go broody,as the breast is normaly bald to keep the eggs warm.have you checked her for lice as she will be irratated if she has them,

steve.

[jackie]

i have seven girls. have checked them for lice. cant see any. sprayed everywhere a week ago. i thought she was getting broody last week. she was sitting on the others eggs but when i took the eggs away, she was quite happy coming out. she's eating and drinking well (unlike the others when they get broody, and refuse to come out). dont think she's showing signs of stress or boredom. just dont like t see her plucking herself

[Casey76]

It sounds like she is creating a "broody patch"  I wouldn't worry too much.  One of my black rocks plucked herself bald from stem to stern sat tight for 3 days then gave up

She is still quite happy (and probably cooler than the other chickens in this heatwave lol) and the feathers will regrow after the next moult.

[jackie]

ok, thanks. i'll keep an eye on her tho