Easter Eggers lost beards?

[SilverBirds]

So, I was outside on Sunday and both of my EEs suddenly don't have their beards? No other feathers are missing. I've never heard of this happening, but maybe it has to someone? I did not see any lice/mites. I also have two lavender ameraucana roosters and a favaucana (who doesn't really have a beard but fluffy feathers under her beak) who still have beards. The EEs just turned a year old an are laying eggs. They really don't seem to have anything else wrong with them but I don't really know if I should give them something or put something on their beardless face.

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Sorry for the low quality pictures.

 

[Eggcessive]

They may be grooming each other while they are on the roost or just hanging out. I have watched my rooster let others do that before. If there is any overcrowding, boredom or you are not feeding enough protein, they will pick feathers. If it is just the beards, that may be just overgrooming.

 

[SilverBirds]

They may be grooming each other while they are on the roost or just hanging out. I have watched my rooster let others do that before. If there is any overcrowding, boredom or you are not feeding enough protein, they will pick feathers. If it is just the beards, that may be just overgrooming.

Cool, thanks! Will the eventually grow back then?

 

[Eggcessive]

They will grow back, but sometimes feathers don’t grow back until a molt.

 

[Tay2ThomChickenMom]

I just found one of my Egger girls with the exact same bald beard issue today. I’m curious what the outcome was for your girls and if you figured out the official cause for your case? Thanks!

 

[SilverBirds]

I just found one of my Egger girls with the exact same bald beard issue today. I’m curious what the outcome was for your girls and if you figured out the official cause for your case? Thanks!

I'm pretty sure it was from over preening. They eventually grew back after their fall molts, and I haven't had that problem since.

 

[Tay2ThomChickenMom]

Thank you!