Friar tuck feather crest

[EarthySaltling]

Good morning!

I've got a 4mo old polish rooster who's crest feathers never seemed to grow in entirely. I got him around 6 weeks, and the feathers never developed. Any advice?

 

[azygous]

It appears his crest is being hammered by other beaks. His body has probably tried to grow new feathers, but only feathers cleanly plucked will grow back. The broken ones won't grow until he molts for the first time.

I'm afraid he and you are stuck with this "look".

This is a common issue for Polish in a flock of other breeds. They often fixate on the crest and can't resist plucking away at it.