Isa Brown Lost Neck Feathers

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by Tanya
(North Queensland Aust)

Question

Isa Brown lost neck feathers: My Isa Brown (one of 4 pets) has lost neck feathers. I have dipped them in poultry dip for mites but she seems to be getting blackness near the skin of the feather and then they fall out? Cannot see mites but her neck skin looks red - please help.

Answer
Since you dipped for mites, it’s probably not mites. Have you actually seen the feathers fall out, or is it possible something or someone of your other pet chickens is pulling them?

Chickens can go through a “hard molt” and look very shabby, they usually do this before the coldest time of year.

That is a normal time that feathers would just fall out as new ones are growing in behind them.

I think you are going to need to spend some time with the chickens and watch their behavior. Is she scratching them out?

Is another chicken bullying her or is your rooster (if you have one) pulling them out when he holds her down to breed her?

I’m sorry I have more questions for you than you had for me, but without seeing what’s going or what the hen’s neck looks like, I’m just not sure what to tell you.

If the skin is red, this could be because the feathers are gone the sunlight has caused the pigment to change.

Or, if this is a wound of some sort, you should keep it clean and treat with an antibiotic and maybe anti-itch spray, to keep her more comfortable while this heals.

I find the best way to figure out chicken problems in my flock is to watch them. I have a bench, just outside the pen.

Hope this helps a little. Please get back to us, when you can send a picture or tell us a bit more. Thanks for writing!