Shredded feathers?

[Nicks_Chicks]

Could it be the shredder gene? I read about it on a thread on here because my lavender orpington has feathers similar to that (and she was one of my 2 not from a hatchery). I know zero about genetics besides bits I've read on threads, but just throwing out another idea

It most likely is. It is most common in lavender birds, but can happen in other colors as well.

 

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

Could it be the shredder gene? I read about it on a thread on here because my lavender orpington has feathers similar to that (and she was one of my 2 not from a hatchery). I know zero about genetics besides bits I've read on threads, but just throwing out another idea

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...

 

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

It most likely is. It is most common in lavender birds, but can happen in other colors as well.

Really?

I know that there are mutations, like Silked feathers, that prevent the barbs so they don't look "like feathers".

I wasn't aware there were other genetics (aside from lavender) that would interrupt that, as well?

 

[Nicks_Chicks]

Really?

I know that there are mutations, like Silked feathers, that prevent the barbs so they don't look "like feathers".

I wasn't aware there were other genetics (aside from lavender) that would interrupt that, as well?

I wonder if the shredder gene is also related to splash as well as lavender...

 

[Nicks_Chicks]

Funny coincedince, my friend has two splash Ameraucana chicks pop up as well

 

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

In my experience, I eat the eggs even after deworming with goat fenbenazole. You can give it a try on Amazon there are little bottles of chicken fenbenazole you put in their water. What feed are they on? Do they get vitamins in their water?

Internal parasites are such a bother... at least the external ones are easier to deal with. Well, kind of.

Their waters don't have additives, no. I have some chick water additives I've considered offering, but haven't yet. ("Flock leader Arrive")

They have constant access to (in separate containers)
- grit
- flaked oyster shell & their baked eggshells (I mean, they eat so much oyster shell. Don't want to waste their precious eggshells.)
- 3 foods currently, but usually only 2. 18% Layer mash, 20% all-flock, 18% chick crumble

They don't get many "treats". (Flock of 14 + 3 chicks. Few tablespoons per day, scattered around.)

 

[Mrs. K]

Check depluming mites - they can cause fuzzy feathers like that.

 

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

Check depluming mites - they can cause fuzzy feathers like that.

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.

 

[Themellowyellows]

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.

Some chickens have a heavier worm load.

 

[Finnie]

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.

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.