Keel Condition

[Speckled Jim]

Just wondering how many fanciers think that conditon of the Keel has alot to do with race performance.

[Delboy]

Hi m8, the pink rosie colour we look for on a pigeons keel is an indication of how the blood is circulating and not of form.It shows good health but I have seen birds win with scaly keels, cold feet etc but as the year progresses, and the hotter weather comes in, then all your birds should have clingfilm pink skin and warm feet.

[Speckled Jim]

Hi m8, the pink rosie colour we look for on a pigeons keel is an indication of how the blood is circulating and not of form.It shows good health but I have seen birds win with scaly keels, cold feet etc but as the year progresses, and the hotter weather comes in, then all your birds should have clingfilm pink skin and warm feet.

 

 

Yes, a healthy bird should have more chance of winning a race than a not so healthy bird, but I have witnessed recently birds with pink keels and blood spots perform poorly, and birds with scaley pale blue keels perform well???

 

[Delboy]

 

 

Yes, a healthy bird should have more chance of winning a race than a not so healthy bird, but I have witnessed recently birds with pink keels and blood spots perform poorly, and birds with scaley pale blue keels perform well???

 

exactly my point m8

[Guest numpty01]

theory again its amazeing we all have our quirks mine is when cock chats me up he is ready to go or if hen drops for me

[Speckled Jim]

Hi m8, the pink rosie colour we look for on a pigeons keel is an indication of how the blood is circulating and not of form.It shows good health but I have seen birds win with scaly keels, cold feet etc but as the year progresses, and the hotter weather comes in, then all your birds should have clingfilm pink skin and warm feet.

 

 

Yes, a healthy bird should have more chance of winning a race than a not so healthy bird, but I have witnessed recently birds with pink keels and blood spots perform poorly, and birds with scaley pale blue keels perform well???

 

[Speckled Jim]

Anyone else got any thoughts on this?

[Jack Barkel]

If we lower thje protein level by feeding mainly Barley etc, the skin will be pink. If we increase the protein level Beans peas etc the skin will be darker and scaly.

 

It all depends on the distance of the race what one feeds.

 

It is also not good to part the feathers to look at the breast two days befor basketing. If anyone does not know this fact I can explain the reason.

 

Jack

[wilkins]

i would like to learn why jack?

[Jack Barkel]

It is very bad practice to open up the breast feathers on a racing pigeon. This is the main defect on a pigeon, as they have no body feathers in this region. Nature left it void of feathers in this area to get the eggs next to the skin and up to body temperature for incubation. When humans developed the racing pigeon to fly considerable distances, they did it without this in mind, and still today we interfere with this condition that the bird needs and tries to look after so meticulously. The racing pigeon spends a lot of time weaving these breast feathers together so that they will not open up in long forced flights. If you feel inclined to open these feathers to see if the flesh is pink, then you are left with a bird that can take up to thirty six hours ( depending on disturbances ) to weave these feathers back into place. The condition of the skin wether on the breast or in the mouth can be varied with feeding and garlic in the water etc. Therefore I say it is better to stop this silly habit or practice of opening up the feathers covering the keel bone , as it is a futile and debilitating practice. It is usually caused from wrong diets, and is a simple eating/blood disorder, which a strong dose of garlic in the water will soon put right.                                                  

 

jackbarkel@mweb.co.za

http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jackbarkel

 

[Delboy]

Yes Jack, too much protein = blue scaly skin. In my opinion, if a bird is in top condition, it feels sweaty and like clingfilm when handled. Its breast feathers automatically part. Although, I totally agree that you shouldnt be delving into the birds feathers.

[Guest KING BILLY]

how can anybody tell good form or bad form at this time of the year when whe are only at the third race at 89ml  with easterly winds the west of the fed should and will top the fed with a blue tatey with scale on it give it a go in 3 weeks time and the red skines will take a bit of betting  

[Roland]

Thought firs off one was enquiring as to whether i he keel being straight of bent like, and not the flesh aside of it. May well tell some condition PHYSICALLY, but mentally, etc. .... well that is another story. I also believe it makes not a lot of difference whether the keel is straight of a flipping circle lol.

[OLDYELLOW]

Thought firs off one was enquiring as to whether i he keel being straight of bent like, and not the flesh aside of it. May well tell some condition PHYSICALLY, but mentally, etc. .... well that is another story. I also believe it makes not a lot of difference whether the keel is straight of a flipping circle lol.

 

broken keel cock of bushearts  

[Skull Lofts]

Thought firs off one was enquiring as to whether i he keel being straight of bent like, and not the flesh aside of it. May well tell some condition PHYSICALLY, but mentally, etc. .... well that is another story. I also believe it makes not a lot of difference whether the keel is straight of a flipping circle lol.

I had a 1st and 2nd with birds who had broken keels.

 

Skull

 

[wilkins]

It is very bad practice to open up the breast feathers on a racing pigeon. This is the main defect on a pigeon, as they have no body feathers in this region. Nature left it void of feathers in this area to get the eggs next to the skin and up to body temperature for incubation. When humans developed the racing pigeon to fly considerable distances, they did it without this in mind, and still today we interfere with this condition that the bird needs and tries to look after so meticulously. The racing pigeon spends a lot of time weaving these breast feathers together so that they will not open up in long forced flights. If you feel inclined to open these feathers to see if the flesh is pink, then you are left with a bird that can take up to thirty six hours ( depending on disturbances ) to weave these feathers back into place. The condition of the skin wether on the breast or in the mouth can be varied with feeding and garlic in the water etc. Therefore I say it is better to stop this silly habit or practice of opening up the feathers covering the keel bone , as it is a futile and debilitating practice. It is usually caused from wrong diets, and is a simple eating/blood disorder, which a strong dose of garlic in the water will soon put right.                                                  

 

jackbarkel@mweb.co.za

http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/jackbarkel

 

thanks jack , very interesting

[Skull Lofts]

 

thanks jack , very interesting

Uncle Jack

 

What about when one race birds on eggs or babys?

If it takes 36hours for them to rectify the feathers one would need to take the bird that you want to race away 3days in advance?

 

Skull

 

 

[Peckedhen]

Thought firs off one was enquiring as to whether i he keel being straight of bent like, and not the flesh aside of it. May well tell some condition PHYSICALLY, but mentally, etc. .... well that is another story. I also believe it makes not a lot of difference whether the keel is straight of a flipping circle lol.

 

Think I said this once before a couple of years ago.....a boat with a straight keel will plough through water a lot faster than one with a slightly warped keel. (I used to be a sailor ;D ;D)  Surely this would apply to birds through the air?? :-/ :-/

 

 

[Skull Lofts]

 

Think I said this once before a couple of years ago.....a boat with a straight keel will plough through water a lot faster than one with a slightly warped keel. (I used to be a sailor ;D ;D)  Surely this would apply to birds through the air?? :-/ :-/

 

only if there feathers dont cover the scew keel!

 

Skull

 

[Delboy]

Uncle Jack

 

What about when one race birds on eggs or babys?

If it takes 36hours for them to rectify the feathers one would need to take the bird that you want to race away 3days in advance?

 

Skull

 

 

Thats a very good point

[Roland]

Birds feathers are for Bouyancy. The head to shoulders are streamlined for flying surely :-/

many speak of the speed lines from beak to cheat.

[Jack Barkel]

When a bird goes onto the nest it opens the feathers naturally and when it leaves the nest it gives a little shake and the feathers go back into their natural weave.

 

When a birds breast feathers are interfered with by an enquiring fancier the pattern is broken and the bird has to start its covering/weaving process all over again.

 

Make no mistake to do such an act is interfering with nature and such a bird subjected to this silly practice will certainly not beat mine, even if it is a better bird.

 

I am only trying to show that we do many things that are temporarly detrimental to racing conditions, because many pigeon fanciers do not understand what nature has created in our feathered friends. It is of no matter to me if anyone who has been warned about this silly practice decides to still look and lessen their chances of a win because of this practice.

 

There are only a few cases where one can cheat nature.

 

Regards

 

Jack

[bewted]

if anyone seriously wants to learn more about there pigeons to race and breed better,,,,,please heed jacks advice as this guy knows his stuff and has plenty of articles on here about helping,,,,,,jack has just given advice now trying to help you all here,hope it will be taken on board and digested as jack helped me no end in my thirst for knowledge which i am gratefully indebted to him !!

 

                best regards

 

                         thanks

 

                                   ted

[pjc]

i,d better check all other members keels tonight and see if it helps mine!   ;)

[Skull Lofts]

When a bird goes onto the nest it opens the feathers naturally and when it leaves the nest it gives a little shake and the feathers go back into their natural weave.

 

Regards

 

Jack

Uncle Jack

 

It may be so, but when you tahe them from the nest to enter a race the bird would be under stress and what then?

 

Skull