UkPigeonRacing

A couple of years ago we had a guy at our club and his birds used to quite literally slip out of my hands when I basketed them. Sadly no longer with us otherwise I would ask him directly.
Thinking about it, I dont think it was a particular
strain of pigeon and I have noticed it since on many birds.
I do believe it is a "manufactured " process and wondered if anyone could give me any tips on getting my birds into that condition.? The guy did more than his fair share of winning.

This may help you Dave.
https://youtu.be/ql42jhCiW-k?si=BBVda-WnaZlj6tAO

It's simple, the birds were raised very well by someone who knew what they were doing.
Super soft, 'slippery' plumage happens on pigeons that were raised by healthy, 'vital' parents, on a diet that provided all the needed nutrients.
Even when the hen laid the eggs, they were laid by a pigeon which was in top physical condition.
If you go to the club and handle young birds that feel like a handful of straw, you can bet the stock birds were in ordinary condition and the diet the youngsters were raised on was not good enough. All the oil seeds and fats and chemicals out of a packet will not make those pigeons have silky plumage. Ever.

King always says you can’t change the feathering but I don’t know
so to play safe I do use Flax oil and spice / pink Mineral over winter maybe for my own piece of mind

I think King is right. Once they are fully grown they are what they are.
I use fish oil capsules and fresh vegetables and garlic and cider vinegar and feed a balanced diet all year round.
My youngsters tend to grow into nice pigeons.

I agree with King, wether a bird has “Silk” or “Sacking” feathering is a matter of genetics imo.
Of course a good diet can enhance feather quality but it can’t turn a coarse feathered pigeon into one with Silky feathers, we found that Linseed is particularly good at promoting feather quality.
One of our best sprint cocks was sacking feathered as were all his siblings the only time it seemed to affect him when there was rain knocking around even at exercise he used to try to get in if it was raining.

Bowbroom wrote: ↑Fri Dec 06, 2024 1:59 pm I agree with King, wether a bird has “Silk” or “Sacking” feathering is a matter of genetics imo.
Of course a good diet can enhance feather quality but it can’t turn a coarse feathered pigeon into one with Silky feathers, we found that Linseed is particularly good at promoting feather quality.
One of our best sprint cocks was sacking feathered as were all his siblings the only time it seemed to affect him when there was rain knocking around even at exercise he used to try to get in if it was raining.

Your right. The type of feathering won't stop birds winning, but as you say rain can cause a bird with (you say sacking, I call it course) feathering a problem. I don't think it matters in todays racing where any forecast of rain leads to a cancelled race. Back in the 70s & 80s we used to race EVERY week, rain or shine. And it was common to have birds dropping in, some looking like drown rats and others looking hardly wet.

Thanks for the replies gents.
If I'm reading your opinions correctly and you are saying that it is "genetic" then should I assume that it is inherent in certain strains of birds. I appreciate that everything has to be perfect through the breeding process but the concensus appears to be that while it may be a favourable 'trait' it is does not necesserally need to be a winning one....?

Diamond Dave wrote: ↑Sat Dec 07, 2024 10:46 am Thanks for the replies gents.
If I'm reading your opinions correctly and you are saying that it is "genetic" then should I assume that it is inherent in certain strains of birds. I appreciate that everything has to be perfect through the breeding process but the concensus appears to be that while it may be a favourable 'trait' it is does not necesserally need to be a winning one....?

That’s how I’m reading it Dave
I personally would prefer them to be in the silk side of things as I believe that shows good health I have seen pigeons with dry feathers change the following year when they leave one loft to go to another so I imagine if it’s genetics then they were in poor health and improved at the new loft so being silky to me would go with better health through care on them birds