Best liner/ bedding for drop tray

[Chortle Chook]

Last Xmas time I bought a little POL frizzle called Daisy. She is supposed to be a pure frizzle (i.e. not a Pekin frizzle) and I got her from someone who shows frizzles regularly but who also breeds Naked Necks. Over the last week or so Daisy has lost the feathers on her head and neck. I don't know if this is normal moulting as I have read that it happens from the head downwards, if she has Naked Neck genes in her, or if it is something more sinister.

 

She is eating normally, seems happy in herself (pecking about like she always does) and does not seem to be being bullied by the others. Although she is considerably smaller than my Silkies she is quite a feisty little character and can hold her own. She is not laying any eggs now although around Easter time she had started to lay a dear little creamy coloured egg every day. She is not broody at all.

Can anyone help?

These are some photos I've just taken a few minutes ago.

Edited May 19, 2011 by Guest

[Egluntyne]

I'm guessing it is a normal moult as the neck is a typical place for a mini moult.

If she had the gene for Naked Neckedness, I'm sure it would be naked all the time.....from hatching.

[Chortle Chook]

Thanks, Egluntyne. I haven't had a chicken looking quite this bald and pink so far but guess that is inexperience. If this is a normal moult and not something nasty, then I'll be happy. Do you know how long it will be before she is feathered again?

[Redwing]

Naked necks always have feathers on their heads and the neck is always bare so I think its safe to say she is a Frizzle

 

That type of feather loss can be a classic case of a cockerel grabbing at a female then keeping her still while he treads - if she is the cockerel's favourite then this is probably the problem - a rest from the cockerel normally helps

[laurmurf]

funnily enough i saw my very first Frizzle Naked Neck at the weekend - a 4 week old. They're a project of a new chicken acquaintance of mine.... WANT!

I think it's safe to say that Tasha's right, the naked-neckness would have been there from the off.

[Redwing]

Having another look at the pic she also has a small bare patch on her side/back where a cockerel will scrabble for purchase so thats looking more likely as the cause of the damage

[Chortle Chook]

Many thanks, Redwing. If I put anti peck spray on her head and neck would that help? Is there anything I can use to put the cockerel off her or does she need a separate pen?