Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[lixi]

In the last couple of weeks we've noticed our 2 chickens have both developed a sore looking bald patch on their upper breast area. They both seem really healthy and perky in other ways, and are both still laying and feeding well. At first we thought it might be their first moult, but it's only that area and we didn't think it looked right. Could anyone help us with an idea of what it could be? Here's a photo.

[Guest]

Are you keeping your hens in an eglu or another type of chicken coop?

 

This looks to me like other hens are pecking at her while she is perching. Normally if they are outside free ranging they try and peck at the neck, head or back area. But if they are perching or facing the hen, they will peck from the front breast area or more underneath if they are below them...

[lixi]

Thanks, We thought it might be that at first, but it's odd because both of our chickens have the same red bald patch appearing in the same place (I would have got a photo of our other hen, but she's a bit of a fighter when she's picked up). And we have an Eglu.

[Egluntyne]

Are they sleeping in the nesting box and rubbing the feathers away?

 

Have you checked them over for signs of external parasites?

[maggiesfarm]

Our chickens have the same problem. I've looked for mites etc and can't see anything and I don't think it's from pecking as they all roost on the same level. Some days it looks red and some days it doesn't but they don't seem bothered by it, they're eating well and laying as usual, although there has been a slight drop in eggs but one of them has been broody.

 

http://www.hallamdojo.co.uk/images/hen_1.jpg

 

http://www.hallamdojo.co.uk/images/hen_2.jpg

[tannerhill]

Just noticed your thread. I have 3 hens and 2 of them are showing the same symtoms as yours, I had the guy where we bought them from callt o have al ook and tell us what it was, we thought it was from them pecking each other, as the third one which isthe biggest we thought was a bully, however he said that they had red mite. We had used anti pecking spray to no avail and then after he said what it was we totaly power washed the eglu and sprayed with Poultry shield, also the wood of the walk in run, then covered the floor and eglu with Diatom also putting some in the nesting box, and dust bath. One of the hens has not laid an egg for a while now but today she did, so must be doing something right. I also am puzzled as reading messages on this forum that after using poultry shield one can see the colour go to green, well our didnt change at all. I am realy hoping that this big clean will do the job as do not want to see my lovely little girls looking like they are at the moment. Hope your hens are well soon.