I was turkey hunting yesterday and was set-up on a greenfield with a hen in the field. It was obvious that she had a nest close by. I watched her as she fed, cut/cackled, and dusted for close to 4 hours in this plot. Had a gobbler answer her twice but he never came in. Upon watching her, I noticed from the base of her neck where it joined her chest down about 4 inches and across about 5-6 inches, there were no feathers. I could see only her yellowish skin. It was clean with no sores or feathers though. What could have caused this? Otherwise she looked real healthy. Is this common?

Roosting...

I supposed from keepin those eggs warm

As arKic said: roosting. They’re all bald where they rub that tree bark.

Probably a little bit of all the above... assuming they are like chickens who will pull out a pile of high breast feathers when they are broody or sitting on eggs.

Ive got a gobbler at my house without any feathers on his chest. I kicked them all off of him. I wish those peta people would come hang out with him a while. Stupid turkey tries to whoop me every time i go outside. Ill karate kick him 20ft, he goes away for a minute then comes right back. Dangdest thing ive ever seen.