what's this?

[L and L]

Hello All,
I'd like some input as to what is going on here. Should I be concerned? Is there something I should do? I have 8 Barred Rock hens, 11 months old, they've been laying since mid-November. I just noticed this on one of them, the other day. Thank you in advance for any advice!

 

[dawg53]

It's possible she could be rubbing the roost when she perches for the night.
Also, have you noticed any feather picking going on? Has the hen in question been broody?

 

[LaFleche]

Check early in the morning to see if her crop empties completely. She might have something stuck in it and is messing with her crop.

Or she sticking her head through the fence thus rubbing away the feathers on her crop.

What kind of feeder do they have?

 

[L and L]

Check early in the morning to see if her crop empties completely. She might have something stuck in it and is messing with her crop.

Or she sticking her head through the fence thus rubbing away the feathers on her crop.

What kind of feeder do they have?

She can't stick her head thru the fence, it's 1/2" hardware cloth all around! Here's a pic of the feeder from January!

 

[L and L]

It's possible she could be rubbing the roost when she perches for the night.
Also, have you noticed any feather picking going on? Has the hen in question been broody?

Thanks. I spent some time watching her today. She seems fine. I would guess that she's at the lower end of the pecking order, but I haven't noticed any particular picking on her. I don't see any bugs that I can tell. I'm a first time chicken person. This afternoon I did notice that now in addition to on her chest, the same issue is on her wing / shoulder. I don't know if she's broody or not. I'll keep watching her. I don't see any unusual feathers laying around either.

 

[LaFleche]

Thanks. I spent some time watching her today. She seems fine. I would guess that she's at the lower end of the pecking order, but I haven't noticed any particular picking on her. I don't see any bugs that I can tell. I'm a first time chicken person. This afternoon I did notice that now in addition to on her chest, the same issue is on her wing / shoulder. I don't know if she's broody or not. I'll keep watching her. I don't see any unusual feathers laying around either.

Feather pecking usually starts in the evening when they are roosting.

Maybe go out and have a look who is used to roosting next to her.

What is the protein percentage of their feed?

 

[L and L]

Feather pecking usually starts in the evening when they are roosting.

Maybe go out and have a look who is used to roosting next to her.

What is the protein percentage of their feed?

Feed is 17% all flock with calcium supplement on the side (eggshell and oyster shell)