Lavender Orpington feathers

[corviidae]

I’m here with my girlie, Tofu. She’s 12 weeks old and her feathers look TERRIBLE. like. Stress bars all over, really ragged and shredded feathers since day one. Im not sure if it’s diet related as all my other pullets and my cockerel do not have this issue.

We didn’t cull because we don’t know if it’s just an aesthetic issue with the lavender gene or a health problem. She eats fine and drinks fine and is active and has normal poops. Is this common in lavender chickens?? We don’t breed, so if it’s just an aesthetic problem, I’ll be okay with that. (please disregard the swelling, trying to figure out if it’s sinus related in another forum or if it’s just another bug bite )

It’s the worst around her tail and wings and it goes up her back/saddle feathers. Stress bars were all over and prevalent since she was just a hatchling. She’s also a hatchery girl.

Edit: I added more photos of when she was younger because she’s cute and it’s for reference.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

When I noticed this reply in my notifications, I have to admit I was a nervous

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Lavender (particularly males) and lavender+other colored birds have an issue called shredding, where certain feathers like the wing, tail and saddle feathers appear ragged or stunted

 

[corviidae]

@RoostersAreAwesome @Amer
Both of these very knowledgeable members have helped me understand wing patch aka shredder gene. I'm sure they'll have some helpful information for you Your hen is gorgeous

Thank you <3 she’s my scrungly girl. I love her very much. The older ladies seemed to have accepted her quicker than the other pullets and my boy

 

[HeatherKellyB]

@nicalandia
Is another one that is knowledgeable about this but I haven't spoken with them personally. I believe amer mentioned them whenever we were talking about wing patch in self blue birds
@Overo Mare I know that moony knows all about this stuff too, so tagging you if you think he'd like to join

 

[Amer]

^^^Yeah this is caused by the wing patch gene which is linked to the lavender. I think all that needed to be said was said.

 

[The Moonshiner]

@Overo Mare I know that moony knows all about this stuff too, so tagging you if you think he'd like to join

 

[Painted Calls]

Just a typical raggedy ole shredded up lav. They're like the overused swiffers of the chicken world. Completely normal.

 

[corviidae]

Just a typical raggedy ole shredded up lav. They're like the overused swiffers of the chicken world. Completely normal.

probably my favorite way anyone has described it

My self blue OEGB hen molted in nicer than normal during her last molt. Recently I've noticed some blonde lacing on her hackles. She's never had this before. I'm the first to admit that I'm about 5ft nothing, short of actually grasping this genetics stuff, but why am I just now seeing this and I wonder what's making her feathers look better. Don't get me wrong, they don't look great, but her feathers have been worse. I guess that could possibly be chalked up to feed or something nutritional. I believe she was free ranging during her molt last time. I'm certainly not trying to hijack this thread but I remember OP being interested in all of this stuff. I took a picture of Willow's hackles showing the other color. Is she no longer considered self blue or Lav or was she ever?

totally ok! I don't mind the discussing. I'm very interested in seeing other peoples' chickens and how they're affected. You have a very pretty hen <3

 

[HeatherKellyB]

@RoostersAreAwesome @Amer
Both of these very knowledgeable members have helped me understand wing patch aka shredder gene. I'm sure they'll have some helpful information for you Your hen is gorgeous