Feather issue

[pinewoodacres]

My current batch of chicks is about 7 weeks old and most are fully feathered out at this point. Then I have this boy and I’m not sure what to make of it. The shoulder part seems to be getting better, so I thought just slow feathering (and his back was like this but seems fine now), but his tail - what a mess! Is this just a random case of slow feathering or is this some kind of defect? I have a closed flock and he’s in my breeding project so I’m trying to gather any info possible as I’ve not had any issues like this before. Thanks!

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

I would suggest possibly a second mini juvenile molt could be the cause?

 

[coach723]

Sometimes rooster feathering can be a bit different than hens, and it can depend on breed also. Some of them will not get their back feathers as early as the pullets. Being very familiar with a particular breed can help, but even then anomalies can happen. It's most likely not a worry. Some of them can be pretty scraggly looking at times, until they are really well feathered with their final set of adult feathers. At 7 weeks, he's got a lot of time yet.