Feathering in broiler breeder chickens is more than cosmetic. Well-developed, intact feathers help birds regulate body temperature and protect against scratches and injury. Issues including nutritional deficiencies, incorrect management, stress, or disease can lead to feather loss. Depending on the amount of feather loss, birds may experience compromised welfare, reduced fertility, and increased susceptibility to injury or infection.
Correct rearing management is essential for good feather development
Following good management practices is essential for proper feather development in rearing. Key factors include maintaining correct brooding conditions, correct stocking density to prevent feather pecking. Temperature control is also critical. Houses should follow the recommended cooling schedule after brooding, as prolonged high temperatures can delay feather growth.
Feeding and watering management play a major role in feather quality. Birds on controlled feeding programs must have immediate access to feed and water when lights come on, with sufficient feeder space to prevent competition and feather damage. Proper feed distribution within three minutes is vital, especially in large houses. Continuous water availability is recommended, and litter quality must be maintained for dust bathing, which is essential for feather maintenance.
Management issues in production can also cause feather loss
Feather quality and cover of the hens in production is a very important indicator of production persistence and high fertility.
The following are some of the primary reasons for rapid feather loss in breeder hens:
- · Insufficient feeder space between 20 and 27 weeks when feed cleanup time is very fast.
- · Feed distribution with lights on, resulting in overcrowding in parts of the house such as around distribution hoppers. This could also result in thigh scratches from females.
- · Feed distribution with lights on results in hens running along feed tracks, inducing stress and internal lay or egg peritonitis.
- · Tight feed restriction grill (<45 mm or 3/4 in) will affect the heavier females after 40 weeks. These females will have trouble consuming enough feed leading to a drop in production and even molting. Their heads may experience feather loss and swelling because of the tight grill. This swelling should not be confused with swollen head syndrome or pneumo-virus.
Mating and feather loss
Some feather loss on the neck and back of hens can occur during mating. To help prevent feather loss, toes can be treated at the hatchery. The back toes of the male chick can be treated to reduce the risk of scratching injuries that can occur in a breeder flock and to help prevent feather loss on the back of the hens during mating.
Keeping male and female bodyweights as similar as possible will also help females retain feathers. Overweight males typically struggle to balance and complete matings reducing fertility. When male and female weights are close, mating is faster and easier for males allowing females to retain more feather coverage.
Nutrition and feathering
Feathering issues in broiler breeder can be directly or indirectly related to feed and nutrition. Maintaining the correct formulation level of nutrients and dietary intake can help prevent feathering issues.
Diets must supply sufficient levels of essential amino acids such as methionine and cysteine, which are critical for feather growth and structure. In addition, vitamins and minerals like biotin, zinc, and manganese play key roles in feather integrity and follicle health. Deficiencies in these nutrients can lead to brittle feathers, poor coverage, and delayed regrowth. Energy balance is equally important. Birds underfed or fed low-quality diets may prioritize basic survival and reproduction over feather maintenance, resulting in poor plumage.
Feather loss might indicate poor gut health or feed quality issues
Intestinal issues can lead to feather loss primarily through nutritional malabsorption and systemic stress. When the gut is compromised by conditions such as coccidiosis, necrotic enteritis, or chronic diarrhea, the bird’s ability to absorb essential nutrients—particularly proteins, amino acids, and vitamins like A, E, and biotin—declines significantly. These nutrients are critical for feather development and maintenance. A shortage results in brittle feathers, slow regrowth, and increased susceptibility to breakage.
Additionally, intestinal disease often triggers inflammation and metabolic stress, diverting energy away from feather production toward immune response and tissue repair. Birds suffering from gut disorders may also experience dehydration and reduced feed intake, compounding nutrient deficiencies. Over time, this imbalance can cause abnormal feather loss affecting insulation, welfare, and productivity.
Mycotoxin contamination in feed can lead to feathering issues in broiler breeders by disrupting essential physiological processes. Chronic exposure to toxins impairs nutrient absorption and protein metabolism, which are critical for feather growth. These compounds damage the gut lining, reducing the uptake of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals necessary for healthy plumage. They also interfere with keratin synthesis, the structural protein that forms feathers, resulting in weak or sparse feathering. Additionally, mycotoxins induce oxidative stress and suppress protein synthesis, slowing cell turnover and feather regeneration. Birds consuming contaminated feed often exhibit ruffled feathers, poor coverage, and feathers protruding at unnatural angles. In severe cases, these effects compromise thermoregulation, feed efficiency, and even reproductive performance.
Ectoparasite infestations can impact feathering
Ectoparasites feed on the outside of the body and can cause considerable issues in poultry breeder operations. Ectoparasites can increase floor egg numbers as hens are reluctant to enter nests that contain parasites. Furthermore, ectoparasites can cause feather loss, feather to appear dirty, and skin lesions which can lead to skin infections and may carry and spread diseases. A good sanitation program and use of targeted pesticides can prevent and control ectoparasites.
Mites
There are several species of mites that infect poultry. The Northern Fowl mite is usually located around the vent. Therefore, they are often found on eggs and may be detected by staff handling eggs. Scaly leg and depluming mites infest the legs and feet and base of the feathers, respectively.
If environmental conditions are good (temperature and humidity) some mites can live apart from birds for several weeks. Therefore, even with downtime, mites can survive to infect a new flock. Infestations tend to be worse in cool weather and on young birds.
Wild birds are known carriers of mites. Prevent nesting of wild birds on or around poultry houses. Mites can be carried into the house by equipment and egg flats. They live in cracks, crevices, nest boxes and walls (nest boxes and slats offer ideal habitats) during the day and feed at night. Depending on the infesting species, infestations can cause pale combs and wattles, crusty skin on the legs, and birds pulling out their feathers.
Lice
Lice chew on the skin and do not suck blood. Lice live entirely on birds and only leave the bird to attack a different bird. Control and prevention strategies are the same as those for mites. Lice will not preferentially infest one part of the body, so the entire bird should be inspected. White egg masses at the base of the feathers are the easiest way to identify a lice infestation.
Bed bugs
Bed bug behavior is similar to mites. They live in cracks and crevices during the day and feed at night. Bed bugs can survive for months apart from the birds so downtime will not alleviate a bed bug issue. Inspect cracks, crevices, and eggs for bedbugs which will appear as black spots.
Fleas and ticks
These parasites are occasionally found in breeder operations. Most pesticides that are used to treat other ectoparasites are also effective against fleas and ticks.
Conclusions
Feathers provide important functions and are a visible reflection of a bird’s health. Well-maintained plumage can indicate signals good management, correct diets, and effective disease control, while poor feather condition often points to underlying issues. By monitoring feather quality alongside other health indicators, producers can quickly identify problems and implement corrective measures. Ultimately, prioritizing good management, biosecurity, and nutrition not only ensures optimal feather development but also supports productivity and bird well-being throughout the production cycle.