What's it called when chest feathers grow into a ridge line down center?

[Egghead_Jr]

I've been searching around for the proper term for this and is it a disqualification? I don't even see anything for point deduction like it's a non existent thing yet I see it on birds. Looking at the chest of bird there is a ridge of feathers down center. Seen pullets and K's with it and usually they grow out fine but a few birds retain it.

 

[BantyChooks]

I've been searching around for the proper term for this and is it a disqualification? I don't even see anything for point deduction like it's a non existent thing yet I see it on birds. Looking at the chest of bird there is a ridge of feathers down center. Seen pullets and K's with it and usually they grow out fine but a few birds retain it.

Split breast? Or is it something different?

 

[RiverOtter]

When it's not poor condition it's a defect. You'll sometimes see it when a young bird has a growth spurt and outgrows itself a bit. When they flesh out that frame, it goes away. But if a bird is in good condition and still has a very pronounced keel, it's a cull.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Think I'm not explaining well. Not the keel protruding rather feathers creating a crest down the keel line. Does that make sense? The breast feathers are not flat against the body at keel line.

 

[RiverOtter]

@Egghead_Jr , it makes sense, but - do you have a picture? The only time I've seen that feather pattern is when it's caused by the body outline underneath.
Could you take a picture of the bird standing, and then hold it, slide the skin to the side however much you can (some breeds have very tight skin, some surprisingly loose) and get a picture of that?

 

[21hens-incharge]

I agree it has to do largely with condition.
Any time I see this on one of my birds she gets special treatment and a full body check to rule our underlying issues.

It is usually on a low ranking hen so I segregate and feed extra protein feed, vitamins and scrambled eggs, fish, meat scraps, no scratch while being vigilant for signs of illness.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I'll get a photo latter. It's nothing to do with illness or poor condition. Feathers growing at an angle to overlap or create a crest of feather along keel line as they are oriented to the side some instead of lengthways.

Will be working in the yard tomorrow and will get a few photos. Was curious as to terminology and how much of a fault it is.