Avian　feathers　have　robust　growth　and　regeneration　capability.　To　evaluate　the　contribution　of　signaling　molecules　and　pathways　in　these　processes,　we　profiled　gene　expression　in　the　feather　follicle　using　an　absolute　quantification　approach.　We　identified　hundreds　of　genes　that　mark　specific　components　of　the　feather　follicle:　the　dermal　papillae　(DP)　which　controls　feather　regeneration　and　axis　formation,　the　pulp　mesenchyme　(Pp)　which　is　derived　from　DP　cells　and　nourishes　the　feather　follicle,　and　the　ramogenic　zone　epithelium　(Erz)　where　a　feather　starts　to　branch.　The　feather　DP　is　enriched　in　BMP/TGF-beta　signaling　molecules　and　inhibitors　for　Wnt　signaling　including　Dkk2/Frzb.　Wnt　ligands　are　mainly　expressed　in　the　feather　epithelium　and　pulp.　We　find　that　while　Wnt　signaling　is　required　for　the　maintenance　of　DP　marker　gene　expression　and　feather　regeneration,　excessive　Wnt　signaling　delays　regeneration　and　reduces　pulp　formation.　Manipulating　Dkk2/Frzb　expression　by　lentiviral-mediated　overexpression,　shRNA-knockdown,　or　by　antibody　neutralization　resulted　in　dual　feather　axes　formation.　Our　results　suggest　that　the　Wnt　signaling　in　the　proximal　feather　follicle　is　fine-tuned　to　accommodate　feather　regeneration　and　axis　formation.　(C)　2014　Elsevier　Inc.　All　rights　reserved.