One of my Asian black cockerels lost sickle feathers?

[Thechickenchick2]

I have two Asian black cockerels and one still has his long sickle feathers and my other (dominant cockerel) has seemingly lost his sickle feathers? Any causes? He is fully feathered everywhere else? I attached pictures of both of the cockerels to show comparison (not that it’s not obvious as it is)

 

[Table4Six]

Are you saying he did have them at one point? If not he may just be growing slower than your other bird. Roosters in general are slow to develop. How old is your bird?

 

[Thechickenchick2]

Are you saying he did have them at one point? If not he may just be growing slower than your other bird. Roosters in general are slow to develop. How old is your bird?

Yes, he did have them prior! Sorry I meant to say that. They are roughly 15 weeks old

 

[Table4Six]

No problem.
That's really weird. I've never heard of a cockerel just losing his sickle feathers. Can you tell if there is any new feather development? What's his diet?

 

[Thechickenchick2]

I have not looked to see if there is any new feathers coming in BUT I most definitely will check when I get home. They have a good diet! Not too many treats, some extra protein on top of their feed.. PLENTY of access to water and greens

 

[Redhead Rae]

They start getting their adult plumage around that age and start losing their baby feathers. They probably got picked out in a fight. I had one that was about 14 weeks that I caught by the tail when he got out of the fence and all his tail feathers came out in my hand.

 

[Redhead Rae]

Yeah, taking a close look at your pictures it looks like the one that doesn't have sickle feathers is father along in his adult plumage change as he has more pointed saddle feathers.

 

[Thechickenchick2]

Yeah, taking a close look at your pictures it looks like the one that doesn't have sickle feathers is father along in his adult plumage change as he has more pointed saddle feathers.

He was the first one that screamed cockerel, has the redder and bigger comb and wattles, crowed first and the most dominant.

 

[Redhead Rae]

He was the first one that screamed cockerel, has the redder and bigger comb and wattles, crowed first and the most dominant.

That sounds right, he is just blooming earlier than the other.