neck feather loss..can anyone help?

[Anonymous]

all my chucks appear fine and healthy
one buff orpington hen though has lost neck feathers
I first noticed this about 3 days ago but it seems to have got worse
now there is an area at the front of her neck, a strip about an inch by 4 inches
this is more or less bare and feels very dry
she is otherwise fine, doesnt get bullied or feather pecked that I notice
i have given all of them a good inspection tonight and cannot see any sign of mites or any other bugs

I've been really lucky and not had any problems of any sort before so I havent got a clue what it may be or how to treat it, or if indeed treatment is necessary
there is no feather loss on any other bird

any advise would be much appreciated
thanks
Tom

 

[foxy]

How old is she RL?

It is likely to be a "partial moult" which usually just affects the neck area of a bird. Check their diet is balanced, and watch carefully for any pecking of growing quills, she will be fine!

 

[podstable]

____ I have one that does not bully or peck BUT will munch her way through the neck feathers of who ever perches next to her at night . Had to resort to Bumper Bit to stop her ! __ just a thought! Ros

 

[Anonymous]

I also noticed that 2 of my pekins have abit of feather loss around the short feathers around their heads and abit on the neck. I was worried that it may be due to pecking as these 2 are down the bottom of the pecking order. I haven't seen any pecking going on though. :?

 

[Anonymous]

thanks for the replies everyone
foxy, she is 3 and like all the rest has what I would consider a balanced diet - ad.lib layers, veg trimmings, afternoon wheat scattered over more grass than they can cover, ACV once a week, flubenvent twice a year, vermex once a month.2 others are also 3 yr olds but havent the problem.
Pod - the nightime pecking i hadnt considered to be honest. late afternoon they strutt back indoors and appear fast asleep within minutes - knackered after mooching about all day..could be a reason

It was really the dry skin that got to me - it feels like a child with eczema

you have put my mind at rest and all will hopefully turn out fine

thanks again

 

[Anonymous]

a few of mine are doing the same thing and have bold necks on one side. normally nothing to worry about as long as you can see there are new feathers coming threw.