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Genetic discussion of slow Feather (K) and tardy feather (t)

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crystalcreek:
Can some of the genetics gurus on here please discuss the genetics behind slow feather gene (K) and tardy feather (t) and whether there are benefits or drawbacks with either.  I also want to know if they can both be present on the same bird.  My application has to do with the lavenders I\'m working on.  If there are serious drawbacks, how is it eliminated.  Here are two pictures of a male/female same age where I believe something is pretty evident (look at the tails) to get the discussion started. The cock is the same male all grown up, to show that the final plumage is normal.

crystalcreek:
As an aside, this cockerel did not exhibit the same rate of slow tail feather growth.  Is it a coincidence that he is also relatively free of any \"ticking\"--the little horizontal bars in the feathers?  Ticking seems to be a male trait, based on what I\'ve grown out here.

crystalcreek:
And finally, this is a son of the male in the post at the very top.  A slow tail (but not as slow as I remember on his sire), but no ticking either, hence all my confusion.

Mike Gilbert:
I am unaware of any reason why Ameraucanas should be anything other than fast feathering.   But at least with the first cock and his son you got some decent width and substance to the tail feathers.  Those of the second cock look pretty narrow.  That may or may not be related to the lav gene, as I have owned black bantams with no lavender blood in them that had the same problem.  

jerryse:
You can sex chicks by the growth rate of the tail feathers.The pullets tail will grow faster if I remember correctly.That may not be what you have.Was this the only cockerel with this condition?Just thought I would put this out as a possibilty.

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