Mia Patel
If your chicken has gone bald all of a sudden, it is likely moulting season. Moulting is the natural process of shedding old feathers and growing new ones. It can be triggered by a sudden change in daylight hours or temperature, or it may be due to stress. Chickens may also lose their feathers due to feather pecking, either by another chicken or by plucking their own feathers due to mites, lice, or other parasites. If your chicken is also limping, this may be a sign of injury from feather pecking or skin compromise.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Once or twice a year |
| Season | Usually early autumn, but can be any time of the year |
| Cause | Moulting, feather pecking, mites or lice, stress, broody hens, mating, or bullying |
| Treatment | High-protein feed, nutritional supplementation, dust baths, separate injured birds from the flock, reduce stress, and provide clean bedding, fresh water, and feed |
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What You'll Learn
Moulting
Some chickens experience a gradual moult, losing and replacing feathers progressively, working down the body from head to tail. Others experience a 'total feather-drop' and can be left virtually naked, which can be alarming to owners. Chickens will also moult shortly after they hatch, and they will have two, sometimes three moults before they achieve their adult plumage.
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Feather pecking
If your chicken has suddenly gone bald, it could be due to moulting or feather pecking. Moulting is a natural process that occurs once or twice a year, usually in early autumn, where chickens lose their old feathers and grow new ones.
Pecking Order
The pecking order is the social hierarchy within a flock, and birds higher up in the pecking order may occasionally peck at those lower in rank to establish their status. This type of pecking should not be confused with feather pecking, which is more consistent and severe.
Flock Size
Chickens typically thrive in flocks that are not too large. When flocks become too big, it becomes difficult to establish a stable pecking order, which can lead to increased feather pecking. Overcrowding can also decrease floor space, increase stress levels, and make feather pecking more likely.
Dietary Deficiency
A lack of protein, sodium, phosphorus, or the amino acid methionine in a chicken's diet can cause them to engage in feather pecking. Low-fibre or high-energy diets can also increase the likelihood of this behaviour.
Genetics and Management Practices
Genetics may play a role in feather pecking, with lighter breeds more prone to the behaviour than heavier ones. However, management practices may be even more significant. For example, chickens in confined spaces who don't have the opportunity to forage naturally may be more likely to engage in feather pecking.
Stress
Stress can also be a factor in feather pecking. High temperatures, insufficient ventilation, and a lack of stimulation can all contribute to stress in chickens, increasing the likelihood of feather pecking.
Curiosity
Chickens are curious creatures, and they may peck at objects or other chickens out of curiosity. While this may start as harmless exploration, it can sometimes lead to feather pecking and plumage damage.
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Parasites
To check for mites and lice, look for tiny insects crawling on the skin or white specks on the feathers. If you suspect your chickens have mites or lice, consult a veterinarian for treatment. There are various products available, such as dusting powders or sprays, that can help eliminate these parasites. Additionally, keeping the chicken coop clean and providing dust baths for your chickens can help prevent and control the spread of mites and lice.
Other external parasites include fowl ticks, which can cause severe skin irritation in humans. Ticks may cause infected birds to become agitated and reluctant to enter their coop. To treat fowl ticks, use Malathion, a powder or spray treatment, on all components in the coop.
Internal parasites, such as worms and protozoa, can also affect chickens. Gapeworms live in the trachea of birds and can cause snicking or gasping. They can also live in the intestine, causing weight loss and potentially leading to a fatal impact. Protozoa, such as Hexamita, can cause diarrhoea, while Trichomonas causes an oral canker in hens, resulting in a white to pale yellow cheesy substance in the mouth and throat.
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Stress
Chickens that are stressed may start to exhibit feather-picking behaviour, where they pluck their own feathers or those of other chickens. This can lead to bare patches on the chicken's body and, if left unchecked, can degenerate into a flock-wide problem. To prevent feather picking, it is important to identify and address the underlying stressors affecting the chickens.
In addition to feather picking, stress can also cause chickens to stop laying eggs and shed their feathers. This is known as moulting, which usually occurs once a year, typically in early autumn, but can also be triggered by changes in daylight hours or temperature. During moulting, chickens lose their old feathers and grow new ones, starting at the head and neck and progressing down the body.
To reduce stress in chickens and prevent feather picking, there are several measures that can be taken. Firstly, it is important to ensure that chickens have access to adequate food and water, as a lack of these can be a source of stress. Secondly, providing a dimly lit and private nesting area with nest box curtains can help to reduce stress during egg-laying, which is a particularly vulnerable time for hens. Thirdly, limiting the number of hours of light to 16 per day and using a radiant heat source that does not emit light can help to reduce boredom, stress, and aggression. Finally, addressing any issues with overcrowding, excessive heat, or new flock members can also help to alleviate stress in chickens.
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Broodiness
A sudden loss of feathers in chickens can be due to broodiness. A broody hen is one that is inspired to sit on a collection of eggs until she hatches chicks. She plucks feathers from her breast to expose the warmth and moisture of her skin directly to the eggs, hence the expression “to feather one’s nest”. After a period of broodiness, a hen's hormones begin to return to normal levels, and she resumes eating and drinking. This results in the loss of large amounts of feathers. Broody hens tend to moult rapidly after a period of broodiness.
To prevent broodiness, you can use a "broody breaker", which is a temporary, wire-bottomed housing unit that discourages the behaviour.
It is important to note that there are other reasons why chickens may develop bald spots, including moulting, feather pecking, age, crowding, an overactive rooster, lice, mites, stress, predator attacks, poor nutrition, disease, parasites, and preening.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several reasons why your chicken may be experiencing baldness. One reason could be moulting, which is the natural process of shedding old feathers and growing new ones. This usually occurs once a year, often in early autumn, but can also be triggered by changes in daylight hours, temperature, or stress. During moulting, chickens may look withdrawn and stop laying eggs.
It is important to provide extra care and high-quality nutrition during moulting. Supplement their diet with biotin and other essential vitamins to support feather regrowth. Ensure they have access to clean bedding, fresh water, and feed, and try to minimise handling as their skin is sensitive during this time.
Yes, feather pecking by other chickens or self-plucking due to parasites, stress, or discomfort could also be factors. Inspect your chicken's skin for signs of parasites, wounds, or inflammation, and separate them from the flock if necessary to prevent further feather picking. Consult a veterinarian if you notice mites or lice, or if the symptoms persist.
