Infection? Lice? Feather shaft/skin issue

[ParkfieldFarm]

Hey all, my prize SG Dorking roo came up with this today—it likely has been noticeable for a week or two but I’ve been working extra hours and the kids have been maintaining the barn. Hoping for some recommendations on what to do here, as well as diagnosis. I did a few sweeps trying to find similar photos that others have posted and have come up blank.

Any ideas? He’s obviously a bit tender, doesn’t want me fussing with it. No other birds in our flock of 120 are displaying anything like this.

 

[St3v3n31922]

Is he eating and drinking?

 

[ParkfieldFarm]

Yes, just in a little discomfort.

 

[St3v3n31922]

and another question, do they have dirt to take dust baths

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Looks like some type of abnormal feather growth to me. Almost like double feathers in some places. (Impacted feather follicles?)
Where the skin is bare, a few look broken/damaged and picked.

Have you wormed him with Fenbendazole?

 

[ParkfieldFarm]

They do have dirt! And no, we haven't wormed. We're organic, too.

 

[ParkfieldFarm]

Not sure how gastro stuff is linked, here...

 

[Wyorp Rock]

They do have dirt! And no, we haven't wormed. We're organic, too.

Not sure how gastro stuff is linked, here...

I would look him over for lice/mites while you are at it. Some of the feathers looked stripped, but hard to know.
There looks to be double or mutiple feathers emerging from one follicle. To me it's a bit odd for the feathers to be coming in on the earlobes, unless I'm looking at the photos wrong.
Diet does play a part in the overall health of the bird. A good balanced diet is essential for feather growth. You can try offer a little extra protein or some poultry vitamins a couple of times a week to see if that makes a difference.

Another thought would be enlarged feather follicle due to disease like Marek's, but the only way to know for sure would be through necropsy at your state lab.