What are these flecks (on new feathers)

[Stacinfl]

hi there! My 19 week Orpington is growing a ton of feathers. The quills look so painfully thick, goodness. My question is these little black flecks are coming off the feathers, what part of feather development is this called? He’s so dander-ey too. I thought the flecks were dirt but now I can see them embedded on the new feathers. Just curious as I never noticed this on my buffs or barred rocks.

 

[aart]

Huh...not sure about the flecks.
Looks really stuck inside sheathing.
Is it sticky or soft or hard or....?

The dander is the feather sheathing coming off as new feathers grows in,
totally normal.

 

[Stacinfl]

It’s kinda hard. It’s
Weird huh!?

 

[Chickassan]

I'd say it is dried quill blood, only ever saw it on feet feathers but I suppose it can happen anywhere big shafts are coming in.

 

[aart]

I'd say it is dried quill blood,

Good possibility.
@Stacinfl take one of those flecks, get it wet and 'smush and smear' it, see if it's red when wet.