Chop less off the end of the neck feathers (7)
I believe the answer is:
hackles
'end of the neck feathers' is the definition.
'hackles' can be an answer for 'feathers' (hackle is a kind of feather). I'm not sure about the 'end of the neck' bit.
'chop less off' is the wordplay.
'chop' becomes 'hack' (synonyms).
'less off' becomes 'les' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'hack'+'les'='HACKLES'
'the' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for hackles that I've seen before include "They rise on the angry" , "Hairs on back of an animal's neck - shackle them" , "Shackle with animal neck-hairs" , "Hairs on back of animal's neck, may rise with anger" .)