Strange wispy feather growth

[Courtburr]

Has she started laying eggs yet? If you have a rooster, and can tell her eggs from the others, I would not hatch her eggs, so not to pass on the genes. I was hoping that some of the old timers would chime in if they have ever seen those kinds of feathers before. @dawg53, @TwoCrows, @azygous, have you all ever seen these kinds of feathers?

Her sister is laying, but don't think the one in question has yet. I have no rooster, so no risk of passing along faulty genes.

 

[Courtburr]

View attachment 1672284 View attachment 1672281 Looks to me as if she’s having a soft molt.

She's not losing these feathers though. They're very much still attached and growing in longer/fuzzier than the normal/surrounding feathers.

 

[MissChick@dee]

I wouldn’t be surprised if they do fall out. They remind me of spent undercoat feathers. Perhaps check her for parasites checking her skin. While your at it give her a good ruffle and fluff and see what happens.

 

[sourland]

Has she started laying eggs yet? If you have a rooster, and can tell her eggs from the others, I would not hatch her eggs, so not to pass on the genes. I was hoping that some of the old timers would chime in if they have ever seen those kinds of feathers before. @dawg53, @TwoCrows, @azygous, have you all ever seen these kinds of feathers?

I would guess that it is a genetic mutation/anomaly. I am just the opposite. I would hatch some of her eggs to see whether it was a dominant trait or not.

 

[dawg53]

It may or may not be genetics but I'd increase protein in her diet for about 2 months. Feathers are more than 85% protein. Try feeding her gamebird feed and watch for gradual improvement in feather growth. Gamebird feed usually contains 22%+ protein.

 

[azygous]

I have had hens with this feather problem. As many here are aware, I have lymphotic leucosis in my flock. The feathers like this past hens (past away hens) have had, I assumed it was from cancerous tumors slowly growing in their bodies, and it likely affected their ability to produce enough protein to build and maintain quality feathers.

The symptoms described here point to compromised immune system, protein deficiency, and general poor health. I'm not declaring LL as the villain here. It may not be the issue at all. If the feathers are the only serious issue, there's a pricey product called Feather Fixer by Nutrena Nature Wise that might help the quality of new feather coming in.

 

[TwoCrows]

This could also be genetic. I have a hen that grows hair like plumes similar to your bird. They grow back after molts too. Not that my hen couldn't have health issue as others have suggested here. She has never been ill and is almost 9 years old.

I would definitely splurge for a good quality feed, a good diet is everything to healthy feather growth.

 

[Courtburr]

This could also be genetic. I have a hen that grows hair like plumes similar to your bird. They grow back after molts too. Not that my hen couldn't have health issue as others have suggested here. She has never been ill and is almost 9 years old.

I would definitely splurge for a good quality feed, a good diet is everything to healthy feather growth.

What kind of feed is better? I'm already paying $25 for a 35lb bag of organic feed....

 

[Courtburr]

I have had hens with this feather problem. As many here are aware, I have lymphotic leucosis in my flock. The feathers like this past hens (past away hens) have had, I assumed it was from cancerous tumors slowly growing in their bodies, and it likely affected their ability to produce enough protein to build and maintain quality feathers.

Do you have any pictures of your hens? How did their feathers like this grow in? I did some reading on that disease, but there's not really anything pertaining to abnormal feather growth with it.

 

[TwoCrows]

I have found it's not that easy to pick a "quality" feed. Each flock responds differently to different feeds. I really can't suggest the best feed, if your birds seem healthy otherwise on the feed you are currently feeding, I would stick with it.

What kind of feed is better? I'm already paying $25 for a 35lb bag of organic feed....