Weird feather loss

[mryanlindbeck]

Hi all!
I am new to chickens and recently noticed my girls have weird feather loss on their heads. I have attached a picture so you can see. At first I thought it was a late molt but now thinking otherwise. They share the coupe with 6 Guinea hens. Partial day free range...my dogs want to eat them. Hoping it's not parasite or fungus!
Thank you in advance!
Mel

 

[mryanlindbeck]

We also have 2 Roos and I read they can be ageessive

Any advice is appreciated...even if it mans we have to catch each one each day and put fungal cream on them!

Here is a picture of the older girls. We did lose one this winter and not sure what she died from.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[drumstick diva]

Your rooster may be causing the feather loss, when breeding they grab the hen's head. If you don't need "fertile" eggs for sale or hatching - there really isn't a need for a rooster.

Hens will continue to lay the same amount of eggs but they will not be fertile.

 

[N F C]

My thoughts ran to the same place as drumstick diva's. How many hens and how many roosters do you have? The girls could be taking a beating from being overbred. The recommended ratio of roosters to hens is 1 roo to 10 hens.

 

[mryanlindbeck]

Yeah...looks like we are a little high on roosters. We have 2 and 8 hens. Thank you for the posts!

 

[RoseMary12]

Hi!!!! I'm new!!! You're the first person Ive talked to on this site!

 

[mryanlindbeck]

Welcome!

 

[Pork Pie]

Yeah...looks like we are a little high on roosters. We have 2 and 8 hens. Thank you for the posts!

Hi and welcome to BYC - you have some great advice already so I'll just say hello!

All the best
CT

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi!!!! I'm new!!! You're the first person Ive talked to on this site!

Hi Rosemary and welcome to BYC

The Learning Centre is a great resource, even for experienced chicken keepers - loads of info on anything chicken. https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

Joining your state thread may be useful as it will put you in touch with other BYC members in your area - just type the name of your state in the search box.

All the best
CT