[ycholmes]

Can anyone advise me on the problem please?  One of my girls (a hybrid named Hattie) is the only one who will not come near us, very nervous and also the broody one.  Recently she has been very broody (not wanting her to be of course) and on several occasions had to get her off the nest.  She seems fine now and in as perfect health as you would expect, except for one thing.  We managed to pick her up the other day (very rare -not usually able to do that much) and noticed she was completely bald underneath in two places, one near the vent and another further up.  Why is this?  Is there something terribly wrong?  Any help would be much appreciated.
Sue

[Jeanette]

When chickens go broody they do pull the feathers out around her chest area so that may be the reason for some loss of her feathers, the other reason might be that she is having a moult. Some of my girls are moulting and they look quite bad at the moment but the feathers will grow back.
Someone else with a lot more knowledge will probably be able to give more help.

[ycholmes]

Thanks Jeanette.  I was worried in case it doesn't grow back in time for the winter months! 

[Casey76]

Don't worry about that, most hens will "choose' to moult during winter.  Mine were practically oven ready last winter, and despite the cold and snow didn't suffer for it