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

[claire-b]

One of our chickens (a black rock) has lost all of her feathers on and around her breast bone. I've been unable to find any similar posts to this so was wondering if anyone has any advice.

 

She's nearly a year old and it seemed to start about 6 weeks ago when she went through a broody stage. She's over that now but there are still breast feathers in the nest box nearly everyday and there is no sign of any re-growth. Our other chicken seems fine and there isn't any evidence of mites or anything like that. Other than this she seems fine and is eating and drinking well.

 

Do I need to worry or should I just wait and see what happens.

 

Thanks

[Egluntyne]

Probably a post broodiness moult. If she seems well in other respects, I wouldn't worry.

[Plum]

One of mine loses a lot of chest feathers when it's warm in summer, to cool I suppose. Could it be something similar

[The Dogmother]

They are either cooling themselves down or have lice. A few of mine have brazilians in the summer when it's hot.

[claire-b]

Thanks for the replies.

 

I think that she is probably just hot. I will keep an eye on her and she if she lets them re-grow when it cools down.

[percy049]

Are black rocks more likely to go broody? mines gone twice, and another chicken keeper I know has had a broody black rock.

[The Dogmother]

Not especially, it tends to vary from one hen to the next as opposed to breeds/hybrid. The only exceptions are fluffy pure breeds such as orpingtons, silkies and pekins which are demon broodies.

 

This hot and humid weather isn't helping though.

[Space Chick]

My black rock has done the same to herself, I've given her a good check over and she doesn't have lice, so I think its a cooling down mechanism... black feathers have got to be hot in this weather!!

[The Dogmother]

I have four with bare tums at the moment.

[Sam]

My black rock/star (whatever she is!!) is also the only one of my hybrids to go broody. Shes bald underneath too.

[The Dogmother]

Probably because they are dark and absorb more heat.