over easy Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 my two pepperpots seem both very healthy but they both seem quite bald on the breast which looks red, and are both very bald under the vent area, both eat well and are laying. the two gingernuts have none of this, is it just common in that breed. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splodge88 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 I'm not much help I'm afraid. All I can say is that I'm pretty sure whatever it is is not particular to one breed. Could be pecking going on...do all your chooks play nice? Someone clever will come along soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunshine Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 We have a similar problem. We have 4 chickens (2 warrens and 2 black rocks) and one of the warrens who we named 'Bossy' when we frst got them over a year ago has been looking bald on her chest for a few weeks now. It looks like the feathers have broken off ie, not come off completly. We have never noticed any pecking going on and she still seems in the middle/if not at the top of the pecking order. They have a large run (20ft x 12ft) and have branches to perch on etc etc. We have checked her for mites and no sign, but actually i don't think there house(wooden) has been checked for beasties! We have put tea tree oil around her chest because i read somewhere that the smell should stop the pecking and it will act as an antiseptic. She seems normal though, not sure what else to try. Emma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 It is probably pecking by other hens. I have been in denial for a year about the bald patch on my cobar's breast, but I saw her little friend doing it at the weekend. I just didn't think a hen would let another hen pluck her from the front. Around the vent area, fluff plucking (it isn't really feathers) is very common. I am spraying my poor girl's chest with purple spray at the moment, but it isn't easy, as I am afraid of getting it in her eyes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 They pull feathers out themselves, so as to keep eggs warmer. They want chickies! They are borderline broody & could be doing this ready for sitting on eggs! I have one especially who has done this & we find 4 eggs under her each day! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 She could be rubbing them off on the roosting bars. Might be worth checking for lice and mites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Another thought is it could be sensitivity to what you have in the nest box. Perhaps the bedding or chemicals you may add for cleaning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hangman Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Our Pepperpot also has a balding breast. Perhaps it's just a tendency of the breed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 It is probably pecking by other hens. This could very well be the case, two of mine have lost a lot of feathers and I tried everything to get them to 'grow back' but have recently witnessed the other two pulling out their feathers and eating them but not in a nasty way and almost absent mindedly! I have tried anti peck spray which had a limited effect but have now bought some bumpa bits from ebay to see if that sorts it out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
