What is a major consequence of improperly repairing a broken feather?

Improperly repairing a broken feather can lead to a permanently damaged feather follicle. When a feather is broken, the follicle, which is the living part of the feather from which it grows, can be adversely affected if the feather is not correctly cared for. If the follicle becomes damaged during improper repair, it may not produce a healthy feather again, potentially leading to long-term issues with feather growth.

The feather follicle plays a crucial role in the development of feathers, as it nourishes the feather during its growth phase. If the follicle suffers damage, it can disrupt the normal cycle of feather growth, resulting in deformities or an inability to produce new feathers.

While feather growth might be expected to resume normally, improper repair can halt that process, which is why maintaining the integrity of the feather follicle is essential for healthy feather maintenance and future regeneration. The other options do not accurately reflect the anatomical consequences of mismanaging a broken feather, focusing, instead, on aspects like immediate healing or increased molting, which are not direct results of improper repair.