Why does my chicken have broken feathers and bald spots? | arlo.® Atlas

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

Broken feathers and bald spots in a chicken are usually caused by feather pecking, moulting, mites, or rubbing against something in the coop or run. It’s worth checking the bird closely, because the pattern of feather loss often gives a useful clue.

If your chicken is otherwise bright, eating well and not showing sore skin, the issue is often manageable with a few practical checks and some flock and environment adjustments.

Things To Check

1. Look at where the feather loss is. Around the vent, tail, neck, back or under the wings can point to different causes.

2. Check the skin for redness, scabs, broken skin, swelling or signs of irritation.

3. Examine the feathers to see whether they are snapped, chewed, or simply missing, as this can help distinguish pecking from moulting.

4. Look for lice, mites or tiny specks in the feathers, especially around the vent and under the wings.

5. Review whether the bird is being pecked by others, especially at feeding time, after roosting, or when space is limited.

6. Check for rough coop fittings, sharp edges, cramped perches or areas where the bird may be rubbing feathers away.

7. Make sure the chicken is eating, drinking and behaving normally, since general illness can sometimes show up as poor feather condition.

Common Causes

Feather pecking is one of the most common reasons for broken feathers and bald patches, particularly if more than one bird is affected or the flock is under a bit of stress.

Moulting can also cause patchy feather loss. This is usually more even and seasonal, although feathers may look untidy and broken as new ones come through.

External parasites such as lice or mites may lead to scratching, feather damage and bald areas, especially if the bird seems restless or uncomfortable.

Rubbing on feeders, perches, wire edges or other coop fittings can wear feathers away over time.

Less commonly, nutritional problems, skin irritation or other health issues may contribute, especially if feather loss is widespread or the bird is also unwell.

What To Do

Start by checking the whole flock, not just one bird, because feather damage can spread if pecking is involved.

Improve space, reduce crowding where possible, and make sure feed and water are easy for all birds to access.

Inspect the coop and run for sharp edges, dirty bedding, damp areas and anything that might be causing rubbing or irritation.

If you suspect mites or lice, act quickly with thorough cleaning and a full check of the housing, perches and nesting areas.

Keep a close eye on whether the bald spots are spreading, whether the skin looks sore, and whether the bird’s behaviour changes.

If the problem keeps coming back, more than one bird is affected, or the chicken seems unwell, it’s sensible to get veterinary advice.

Products That May Help

Good coop hygiene can be useful as part of checking for mites, reducing irritation and keeping housing cleaner while you look into the cause of feather loss.

Poultry & Smallholding

Item added to your cart