Missing feathers on belly/vent / otherwise normal

[M2L2]

Good afternoon friends.

We have a 14 month old barred hen that today we realized has a bare belly, and feathers missing around vent. Belly doesn’t feel bloated or squishy. She’s eating and drinking normally, and still laying as usual. She doesn’t appear broody. And there’s no evidence any other chickens are plucking, no evidence of mites/lice.

The other anomaly is there is a small white shiny bump near her vent, that I haven’t seen on any other chickens…picture attached

Wondering if this may be some issue developing we can get in front of, or if anyone has any advice? We are stumped.

 

[coach723]

The small, shiny bump looks like it may have been a wound/injury that has healed up, looks like scar tissue to me. Over time it may reduce and fade. If it doesn't, or gets bigger or worse looking, then possibly a feather cyst. Those can often be opened up with the point of a needle and work the feather out, which may be balled up in there, remove that and clean it up well with hibiclens, etc. and it will heal up. I would just watch for now, see if it resolves or gets worse. Usually when my birds have bare butts it's from feather picking on the roosts. How big is your coop, how many birds? Sometimes you can modify your roost arrangement to give them more space, more levels, make them less butt to head when roosting, and that will help. If there is a very dominant bird that demands space, then sometimes putting dividers up can help, gives them some shielding and personal space. Every group of birds is different, and any change in the flock, adding birds or losses, can change everything. Math and measurements on paper are averages, and the behavior of the birds is what matters, what works for one group may not work for another. I have modified and changed my coop many times over the years out of necessity because of changes in the flock over time.