Young Ameraucana feathers. When will they smooth out?

[Lkhags29]

I have an ameraucana chicken who is around 12 weeks old. She is 1/6 chicks I have. The others are all different breeds. I notice that her feathers are not smooth like the rest. I thought maybe it was her breed and age but I’m not seeing any changes. Her feathers look ruffled and puffed out, not smooth at the ends

. Is this typical for ameraucanas?

Also, none of my other birds have this problem. They have nice, smooth feathers.

 

[AmeraucanaHank]

I have an ameraucana chicken who is around 12 weeks old. She is 1/6 chicks I have. The others are all different breeds. I notice that her feathers are not smooth like the rest. I thought maybe it was her breed and age but I’m not seeing any changes. Her feathers look ruffled and puffed out, not smooth at the ends View attachment 3369947View attachment 3369948View attachment 3369949. Is this typical for ameraucanas?

Also, none of my other birds have this problem. They have nice, smooth feathers. View attachment 3369946

I think she's fine. She will probably smoothen out when she grows older.

P.S: She's an Easter egger.

 

[SourRoses]

It's the feather shredding gene.
One of her parents was Lavender, so she's split to Lav. The shredding gene is linked to Lav and is very hard to breed out.
Although it's been bred out of many good lines of Ameraucana.
The hatchery must be using a shredded Lav to make Easter Eggers (she is not pure Am - note the olive legs, small beard, and overall color).
Here's just her saddle and tail area where you can really see the shredding...

 

[Lkhags29]

I think she's fine. She will probably smoothen out when she grows older.

P.S: She's an Easter egger.

Thank you for the reply. How can you tell she’s an Easter egger?

 

[Cat Ballou]

Thank you for the reply. How can you tell she’s an Easter egger?

Keep scrolling…@SourRoses explained in the previous comment.

Would it help if you feed some coconut oil?

 

[Lkhags29]

It's the feather shredding gene.
One of her parents was Lavender, so she's split to Lav. The shredding gene is linked to Lav and is very hard to breed out.
Although it's been bred out of many good lines of Ameraucana.
The hatchery must be using a shredded Lav to make Easter Eggers (she is not pure Am - note the olive legs, small beard, and overall color).
Here's just her saddle and tail area where you can really see the shredding...

View attachment 3369960

Very interesting! I got them from Murray McMurray.