Feather Comparison

[Isaac 0]

I have a few older ducks who are suffering from wet feather, so I clipped a few of their feathers off to show the microscopic difference between a healthy feather, and a feather from a bird suffering from wet feather and found it to be quite interesting so thought I would share.

The picture above shows the different parts of the feather anatomy. The hooklets on the distal end of the barbules act like velcro and attach to the opposite hooklets on the lateral barb. With a healthy bird, all hooklets will connect to form an amazing/ almost illusional-like grid (picture below)

The barbules connect via the hooklets and form an interweaving criss/cross pattern that helps waterfowl maintain water repellency. When there is a combination of excess dirt, lack of bodily oils, the hooklets will no longer attach and become disorganized. The picture below demonstrates how a feather from a bird suffering from wet feather would appear.

It is interesting to note even though there is interlocking going on, the hooklets are not attaching to the opposing hooklets with efficiency, and have become disorganized. The disorganization allows easier penetration of moisture into the feathers creating a poor look as shown below.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/problem-with-ducks-feathers.870998/

 

[graypes]

that is SO cool! I've definitely spent a good few hours staring at one of my ducks molted off wing feathers and just examining how it can "mend" once the barbules are pulled apart. This is much better than my eyesight could ever achieve!

 

[Percipen]

Very cool. Thanks for the info! @graypes I do the same! Feathers have always been such a mystery to me...until now

 

[HeatherKellyB]

So interesting! Thank you for always taking the time to help and actually teach us about so many aspects of ducks. This is very eye opening

 

[loofa]

So amazing. Thank you.

 

[Stoney Meadow Maple]

Great post! I missed it first time through!