Feather Genetics-Not Pertaining To Color

[draye]

I have a hen that in her tail feathers are some of the bigger ones are like upside down. Meaning that the stem is faced up instead of downside like normal.

I hope that makes sense.

Anyway is this a genetic defect? I know echo her parents are. The dad has several offspring besides her here and haven't seen it in any others. The mother other than having her I know nothing about her background other than a buff colored hen. This was the only off spring of hers that I kept. There could have been more but since they didn't get the naked neck I sold them all off.

 

[Lozuufy]

I know with pigeons there is a recessive gene that makes the feathers on the back of their necks upside-down and that forms a crest, not sure what would cause a chickens tail feathers to be upside-down though. Could you post a picture? I would be interested to see what it looks like.

 

[draye]

I know with pigeons there is a recessive gene that makes the feathers on the back of their necks upside-down and that forms a crest, not sure what would cause a chickens tail feathers to be upside-down though. Could you post a picture? I would be interested to see what it looks like.

I'll try to get a picture sometime tomorrow.

I did check with some folks that bought some of the siblings from that mating and she seems to be the only one that has this.

I'm thinking maybe some picking or something in the brooder may have caused it, but just guessing.

I'm may also do some test breeding s and see if maybe it is genetic or not.

 

[draye]

Here's a picture of the tail feathers I was talking about.

The two feathers sticking out at the front if pic and the one at the back if the pic. There are a few more but she kind if tucked them under.

 

[NanaKat]

I wonder what would happen if you pulled one of them to see if it grows back in the correct way?
Might be faster a result than test breeding and waiting for feathering.

 

[draye]

I wonder what would happen if you pulled one of them to see if it grows back in the correct way?  
Might be faster a result than test breeding and waiting for feathering.

I thought about that. Heard though it takes awhile for them to grow back.

 

[Lozuufy]

If you pull the feather out it should grow back pretty quick, also her tailfeathers look interesting, never seen that before.

 

[NanaKat]

I wonder what would happen if you pulled one of them to see if it grows back in the correct way?  
Might be faster a result than test breeding and waiting for feathering.

I thought about that. Heard though it takes awhile for them to grow back.

So what did you decide to do?

 

[draye]

Well I haven't done anything yet. Bee. Getting hit by predators and lost so many hens. Down to 6 that lays two on molt and two that may or may not have laid a few pullet eggs. Got 8 that are 20 weeks so about 4 to 8 weeks they shpud start.

I think I'll just wait and see I'd any chicks turn out that way. Even if I pull them out it cod still show up on chicks even if hers come back in right.

As I don't have enough hens right now to try hatching anything from come Januaru I'll just take my chances.

I justo stilt wondered if anyone else had seen that happen in their flock.

I appreciate all the replies.

 

[NanaKat]

Predators are the pits! They always seem to target our best birds too.

Keep us posted when you hatch those chicks and let us know if the tail feathering is an anomaly or hereditary