[SurreyLass]

I have a bit of a conundrum ..................

Chief Chicken, Milly, has developed a bald patch under her 'chin' / top of ches area. It has been like that for a week or so, quite pink, but stubbly. I have never seen any of the others peck her, and never seen her peck herself, so left it at that. Yesterday I noticed a bit of blood at the lower part of the area. Again, noone paying her / it any attention. She got up this morning, all fine, no blood, and then I went out to see her a little while ago and theres a bit of blood again.

Could she be doing this to herself???

They eat layers pellets, and have grit and shell on demand, ACV in their water a day or two a week, dont have treats from the kitchen. Their coop is tidy as, and is only 6 months old, and no nasties that I can find. They are all happy and chickeny, and all laying every day.

Any ideas??

[PaulineM]

Hi
I'm no expert but it could be the new feathers coming through that are bleeding, I believe that when the new feathers are emerging from the new quills they are very prone to bleeding which is why you have to handle birds that have moulted as little as possible.
Keep an eye on her and I'm sure more experienced people will offer more help soon. 

[SurreyLass]

Its not TONS of blood, a few small spots. She looks very spiny. Is this a normal area to lose feathers?? She is just over a year old - got her almost exactly a year ago, and she was about 18 weeks when I got her.

I keep watching, and NEVER see anyone else go near her like that, she's the boss!

[helens-hens]

My top hen lost quite a few feathers under her chin and down her neck and a bit underneath as well as some on the top of her head, when she was about the same age as yours, just over a year ago. I don't recall any blood but as Pauline mentions this could be the new ones coming through.

My hens feathers have partly regrown but some patches are still a bit bald! She seems quite happy though. I did notice that she seemed to spend more time in the nest box last year so it did cross my mind that it may have something to do with broodyness even though she is a hybrid.

[Nicki85]

A couple of mine have lost feathers in a similar place and this is/was caused by my top hen pecking them.  Unfortunatley the others aren't clever enough to move out the way and just stand there letting her :blink:  I'm currently putting on some green gunk that's supposed to be for horses (think vaseline with antiseptic) and that seems to be putting her off.  I think my solution would be to get a cock but not really possible.

[SurreyLass]

This is my top hen though. I dont think she would let the others get away with it to be honest!

[Nicki85]

Oh in that case maybe she is moulting then, mine started from the bottom up though...  Mine did moult their head feathers out as well  they looked a bit like porcupines for a bit.  Might be a half moult?

[SurreyLass]

Hmm .............. just saw 3rd chicken down standing and plucking at her, whilst she just stood there and let her............... oh I dont know what to do with them!

[Sassy]

The blood spots will encourage the others to peck at her. Y :)ou could do with some purple spray available from horsey and farm shops its not expensive. This will disguise the redness and aid healing. Do be careful which way the wind is blowing when you use it and wear protective gloves it does stain!!

[SurreyLass]

I had the purple spray, but couldnt catch the Madam to administer! Put some more flooring in the run for them to dig about in on Saturday morning, and hung a couple of bits up for pecking at in case it was boredom. Havent seen it since, mind you I had been looking for a while and not witnessed it till Friday!!

They didnt seem bothered by the speckles of blood, and havent had anymore since Friday - fingers crossed!

Thanks for your help