Weird feather question

[User690263]

My 4 year old Buff Orpington hen had some weird tail feathers. They're kind of frayed, and some of them have black spots. She doesn't have mites, so I was wondering if this is common. None of my other chickens have feathers like this. What do y'all think?

 

[Granny Hatchet]

feather mites? Just taking a guess..

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

Mines look like that. I don’t have any pics, but they have gone slightly black and very frayed, especially on her tail feathers. Not sure what caused it, but unless your showing its nothing of concern!
@Noraaaaa have you seen this before?

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

Mines look like that. I don’t have any pics, but they have gone slightly black and very frayed, especially on her tail feathers. Not sure what caused it, but unless your showing its nothing of concern!
@Noraaaaa have you seen this before?

My 4 year old Buff Orpington hen had some weird tail feathers. They're kind of frayed, and some of them have black spots. She doesn't have mites, so I was wondering if this is common. None of my other chickens have feathers like this. What do y'all think?
View attachment 4036347

My BO has feathers that have some black to them as well. Almost like spots or a light splash. I thought it was normal because, well, shes a normal hen. Hers do not show fray or any reason for concern. Just figured it was a BO thing. Never had a BO before. She 2.5yrs and shes perfect! Shes my only hen of 7 thats currently laying too. I shall call her Golden chicken.

 

[Noraaaaa]

My 4 year old Buff Orpington hen had some weird tail feathers. They're kind of frayed, and some of them have black spots. She doesn't have mites, so I was wondering if this is common. None of my other chickens have feathers like this. What do y'all think?
View attachment 4036347

Hey! Not quite sure what it is but it is similar to silkie feathering. Could she be a cross? Or mabey someone played with them and separated the single strands.

 

[aart]

My 4 year old Buff Orpington hen had some weird tail feathers. They're kind of frayed, and some of them have black spots. She doesn't have mites, so I was wondering if this is common. None of my other chickens have feathers like this. What do y'all think?
View attachment 4036347

How old is this bird, in months?
Can we please see the rest of the bird?

 

[theoldchick]

Could be from over grooming, could be from rubbing on nest box, could be genetic, could be diet related. Lots of could-be to think about!

 

[User690263]

How old is this bird, in months?
Can we please see the rest of the bird?

Ok, so I guess she's actually almost 3, not 4 like I initially thought, so 32ish months.
Here are some full body pictures

 

[User690263]

Hey! Not quite sure what it is but it is similar to silkie feathering. Could she be a cross? Or mabey someone played with them and separated the single strands.

There's a *small* chance she's a cross, not sure how likely it is. She's a hatchery bird, though I don't remember which hatchery she's from.

 

[User690263]

feather mites? Just taking a guess..

I don't think it's that. None of my other birds are like that, and I recently checked them all for mites. Thanks for your input though!