Poultry Talk Ontario (pto.ca)

Is there anything besides genetics that causes hackle feathers to curl?

A curling iron, maybe? Just kidding. I don't know of any other reason besides genetics. Wee you thinking dietary deficiency of some sort?

AN infection in the follicles?

Put the bird in a bucket of cool water and get all the feathers good and wet, ( do not put the head under water, just rub the cool water over the head). Let the bird dry on it's own, do not towel dry. Do this on a reasonably warm day, 20 degrees or warmer. Good luck and let us know how it turned out for you. I do this all the time when I get a bird in that condition and it has never failed me. It is most likely due to the dryness and lack of moisture in the air.

Pete is correct, The curled feathers are due to the lack of moisture in the air. My orientals get it all the time.

I would not expect it to be dry air - the humidity in my house (and outside) for the last month has been between 70 and 85%. The chicks are still in the basement. I run a dehumidifier in the basement a couple of times a day to lower the humidity. So far none of the others are like this. He does spend a lot of time sitting on top of the waterer crowing. Maybe he has bent them while crowing, or maybe somehow the air movement when the dehumidifier is running did it. The breeder didn't have any frizzled birds in her breeding stock, but that doesn't mean it's not genetic. I have 2 chicks that are not related, so I can watch to see what happens. I have someone interested in buying this one, but they may not want him if they think it is genetic. I sent them a picture, but haven't heard back. I will try the spa treatment and see what happens.

It is one of the first signs of leprosy.

But if you want this look and use a curling iron, be careful.

Well, did you try what I asked you to do?