Feathers: How do they grow?

[Ravie]

My husband and I have been wondering about how chickens' feathers grow. He says they grow in only after molting. I always thought they grew back slowly the same way human hair grows. Which of us gets a cookie?

 

[centrarchid]

Quote:
Husband gets it although regrowth occurs during molt, otherwise naked chickens would be noticed. Pulled feather can sometimes be regrown outside of molt.

 

[wbruder17]

I have a polish crested rooster that always gets the feathers on the back of his head pulled out. They continue to grow back every time until the stinkin' hen pulls em out again.

 

[centrarchid]

Quote:
The continous growth thing can be promoted as indicated by wbruder17 or a mutation like existing in some of the long feathered breeds.

 

[Ravie]

Poor polish rooster!

Thank-you Centrarchid.