Bullying or illness?

[KimbosKluckers]

I just noticed today one of my gals (8 months) has missing feathers on her neck. I hope it’s molting…no rooster. No injuries but a big bald patch and several bare quills. I’ve never noticed any bullying but maybe when I’m not looking? Though I’m near 90% of the time. I don’t see parasites but would I? Kind of worried, she’s a bit mentally slower than her 5 sisters, even her comb is small. She eats and drinks and forages just fine. 20% all flock pellets, occasional treats like seeds and spinach…thanks. Very hard to get photos with one hand while I hold her.

 

[GodLovesU]

You can check her vent for mites but if there’s not it could just be molting.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I just noticed today one of my gals (8 months) has missing feathers on her neck. I hope it’s molting…no rooster. No injuries but a big bald patch and several bare quills. I’ve never noticed any bullying but maybe when I’m not looking? Though I’m near 90% of the time. I don’t see parasites but would I? Kind of worried, she’s a bit mentally slower than her 5 sisters, even her comb is small. She eats and drinks and forages just fine. 20% all flock pellets, occasional treats like seeds and spinach…thanks. Very hard to get photos with one hand while I hold her. View attachment 3970100View attachment 3970100View attachment 3970101View attachment 3970101

Can you get a photo of all of her?

She's got pin feathers coming in, so this is either molting or regrowing feathers in a spot that was previously plucked.

 

[KimbosKluckers]

You can check her vent for mites but if there’s not it could just be molting.

I didn’t see anything, would they be noticeable? She has always been the only one that will not come to me willingly so it’s tough.

Can you get a photo of all of her?

She's got pin feathers coming in, so this is either molting or regrowing feathers in a spot that was previously plucked.

She’s looking “ratty” here and there but her neck is bare. There are a lot of feathers under where she was roosting last night too. Here’s a few whole photos.

 

[KimbosKluckers]

I managed to get of photo of her vent area just after she pooped…I can see pin feathers here too I think?

 

[GodLovesU]

I didn’t see anything, would they be noticeable? She has always been the only one that will not come to me willingly so it’s tough.

She’s looking “ratty” here and there but her neck is bare. There are a lot of feathers under where she was roosting last night too. Here’s a few whole photos. View attachment 3970472View attachment 3970473View attachment 3970474View attachment 3970475View attachment 3970476

You would have to really look in her feathers to see the mites.

 

[KimbosKluckers]

You would have to really look in her feathers to see the mites.

Ok. I wasn’t able to get up close to her vent as I was holding her but I did check her neck and back area and didn’t see anything. I thought 8 months is too young for yearly, seasonal molts?