dirty feather

Feathered friends losing their floof: mystery or mitey mischief?

Oh, a bald bellied chicken, now that's a feathery mystery that's equal parts hilarious and concerning. You've checked for mites and lice, and found nada, so what's plucking your poor hen's floof? That bare belly and backside area screams "someone's been sitting too long" or "a feathered friend is getting a little too pecky." Before you panic, consider the classic fowl play: bullying from the flock. Chickens are notorious for targeting a low-ranking hen's tender spots. It's not always creepy-crawlies; sometimes it's just bad chicken manners. If you're wondering how far this behavior can go, check out our related article, "Why my flock turned into a feathered hit squad overnight," for more cluck-tastic insights.