Forked Tails

[flrancho]

I've noticed for some time now that my Java "babies" seem to have what I would describe as forked tails.

The parents tails are nice and rounded, but the middle of the chick's tails have shorter feathers, which give the tails a forked appearance. The feathers are only a few centimeters shorter in the center than the rest of the tail. There are no feathers askew anyplace else. I'm guessing its genetic?

Is this just one of those freak things that happen sometimes like crossed wing tips? Or could the forked tails be a sign that the parents are related? The chicks look normal and are perfectly healthy otherwise.

The parents are both from the same store, but were bought at different times.