Shredded feathers?

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

I don’t know about your specific birds, but it is not uncommon for mites and parasites to prefer some birds over others. Birds with weak immune systems or other conditions can be mite magnets while others of their flock mates get none.

Long ago when my kids got lice, I read that lice prefer dark hair over blond. They did skip my lightest towhead child. (He had a buzz cut, so that might also have been a factor.)

But back to chickens, it is interesting that only your splash chickens are affected. I would think that if the shredder gene was linked to the blue gene in addition to the lavender gene, then there would be a lot of conversation about it. Maybe you are at the forefront of a new crossover.

Let us know if you do find parasites on the affected birds.

Hoping she just has delicate feathers that don't cause her problems, but look scraggly.
Everything can have a certain amount of parasites, it's just when they get out of control that it's a problem. And I'm not wanting my flock to be prone to illness or infestation.

Never heard that myth. Don't know its origin, but I'm guessing lice are easier to see on darker hair compared to lighter hair and perhaps that's part of what started that myth?
As somebody who used to be a pale haired kindergartener, I have not so fond memories of lice.

Anyway. She isn't the only splash I have.
2 splash marans (both have odd feathers, but the one is really bad)
1 splash ameraucana (great feathers)

And maybe one more (blue paint. Potentially splash. Either way, excellent feathers. But she's sleek, not floofy)

So I don't think it's the splash color that's the problem

 

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

Some chickens have a heavier worm load.

I know this is serious but the only excessive amount of worms I want are sour gummy worms

Or earthworms in the soil

-_- I'm not fond of deworming seasons. (But it's usually easier with mammals, it feels like)

 

[Themellowyellows]

I know this is serious but the only excessive amount of worms I want are sour gummy worms

Or earthworms in the soil

-_- I'm not fond of deworming seasons. (But it's usually easier with mammals, it feels like)

Lol. Same here, but sometimes we just have to do it to keep our birds healthy.

 

[Mrs. K]

Guess I'll have to look closer for parasites..

I'm confused about why it would only be a specific bird or two, though?
Most the flock have great feathers.

It is not uncommon for parasites to have more of an effect on a weaker bird. Very often not all birds will show the same effect from a parasite load.

However, if you do find them, I would treat all the birds, or the carriers will just keep reinfecting your weaker bird.

Mrs K

 

[doylethaguru]

Lavender has the shredder effect (I also have a Lav Orp. She has shredded feathers, but not as bad as the Marans above)

My Splash Marans is Blue (2 copies of Blue = Splash), not Lavender. Though they can look VERY similar.

(Excessive info below)

The interesting thing about Lavender is you can improve the feather quality of the offspring. (I don't know by how much though?)
Lavender needs 2 copies to show. 1 copy comes from each parent.

Black x Lav = all offspring are "Lavender Split" (visually black, but carry 1 copy of lavender)

Lav Split x Lav = half are Lavender, half are Split.
And you can just keep doing that, and you should be able to minimize the shredder appearance.

But some places just breed Lav x Lav and the chicks have terrible feathers...

I hatched about 100 French black copper marans this year and 1 of them was a lavender but he does have the shredder gene so Ilan on breeding him to reduce it in the later birds …