Rhode Island Red Short Tail.

[MatskevichFarm]

Hey guys, just wandering if someone could help me figure this out. This pretty girl here is Harry, and for some reason she hasn't developed her tail feathers. She's almost 16 weeks. Any idea why this could happen?

Thank you.

 

[BuffOrpington88]

Hi! Have you noticed any of the other chickens picking her feathers? Or just feathers scattered on the ground. It may be that they're getting plucked out.

 

[MatskevichFarm]

No, there were no feathers, I looked around and nobody has been picking on her at all.
Here is another picture of her. And she also has the feathers much darker than the other rir.

 

[BuffOrpington88]

Oh interesting! Yeah, I'm not sure. Sorry I couldn't be of more help!

 

[MatskevichFarm]

That's okay. She's very health and active... It's just the tail is so different from my other RIRs. Do you think that can develop later?!?

 

[BuffOrpington88]

Yeah, it might! But even if it doesn't it still seems like it's not affecting her quality of life, so I wouldn't worry about it too much. Good luck!