FEATHER QUALITY FOR RACING

[PATTY BHOY]

Do we all agree with this statement.

Good Feather

The importance of good feathering as a reflection of the quality of a pigeon can never be overemphasised. For every fancier the quality of the feather is a very good and immediate indication as to the quality of the pigeon. A good quality feather is the foundation stone for breeding the champion pigeon and a pigeon with poor feathers should never be considered for stock because good feathering is a reflection of both good breeding and good health.

 

The healthy feather is silky, flexible, strong and waterproof. These features are all important for efficient flight. The high oil content of the healthy feather gives it the silky feel. The silkier the feather the greater the lift due to the streamlining effect required for efficient flight. The dry feather we get with many illnesses means that there is less streamlining (over the body and wing) and more drag with a subsequent loss of lift and less efficient flight. More energy is required causing the bird to tire more quickly. The dry feather being less flexible means that the twisting motion of the end flights that gives forward thrust is lessened, which results in a slower bird. The dry feather is brittle and lacks the strength of the silky feather, wearing out by the time the long races, when flying efficiency is needed most. Dry feathers lack the waterproofing qualities of the oil laden silky feather and flying therefore becomes more difficult in wet weather.

 

The feathers of the racing pigeon in top form are tight and silky. The aerodynamics are further improved by the feathers covering the body. These contour feathers of the body and the coverts over the wing and tail feathers of the bird in top form overlap each other very tightly to create a very smooth surface. We describe such a bird as having "tight" feather. During flight this very tight feather allows the moving air to flow smoothly and quickly over the body and wing surfaces in what we call "streamlines". "Streamlining" gives "lift" to the flying pigeon and is one of the reasons why it can fly for sustained periods without tiring. For whatever reason (health or breeding), poor quality feathers fail to form the tight smooth surface required for "streamlining" and efficient flight. When the surface is not perfectly smooth the air does not flow smoothly across the surface and creates air eddies and bubbles of turbulence. Turbulence has the effect of slowing the airflow over the wing and body surfaces that increases the "drag" or "resistance" and reduces the "lift". Therefore the bird with poor feathers flies slowly and requires more effort to stay aloft. The end result is a bird that tires sooner. A good feather is essential for racing performance because it is the basis of "lift".

 

 

[Guest cloudview]

the above was one of the reasons why i got the dordins in the feather quality is outstanding , and continues through into the many crosses that ive put them to

[OLDYELLOW]

condition of feather on a bird is as important as the bird having good balance , then i look at the second wing which should sit tight , as you say Cloudview the Dordins have very strong feathers and very hard to break or snap and seem to be beter structured than the adverage strain and slightly wider in diameter of the quill but keeping the weight the same , good Dordins are very well balanced  , great birds , so i agree feathering is an important factor when buying birds

[Guest]

yes agree for racing most important for long distance

[Guest cloudview]

a good friend of mine had a  trait in family ,of flights snapping at any point along the shaft

any how cut a long story short these were all ardens purchased from louella lofts that were breeding this type of feather

at first he thought it was somthing he was, nt giving his birds , or vice versa but the rest of his old family were fine    never did get to bottom of it

[Lennut Tar]

Do we all agree with this statement.

Good Feather

The importance of good feathering as a reflection of the quality of a pigeon can never be overemphasised. For every fancier the quality of the feather is a very good and immediate indication as to the quality of the pigeon. A good quality feather is the foundation stone for breeding the champion pigeon and a pigeon with poor feathers should never be considered for stock because good feathering is a reflection of both good breeding and good health.

 

The healthy feather is silky, flexible, strong and waterproof. These features are all important for efficient flight. The high oil content of the healthy feather gives it the silky feel. The silkier the feather the greater the lift due to the streamlining effect required for efficient flight. The dry feather we get with many illnesses means that there is less streamlining (over the body and wing) and more drag with a subsequent loss of lift and less efficient flight. More energy is required causing the bird to tire more quickly. The dry feather being less flexible means that the twisting motion of the end flights that gives forward thrust is lessened, which results in a slower bird. The dry feather is brittle and lacks the strength of the silky feather, wearing out by the time the long races, when flying efficiency is needed most. Dry feathers lack the waterproofing qualities of the oil laden silky feather and flying therefore becomes more difficult in wet weather.

 

The feathers of the racing pigeon in top form are tight and silky. The aerodynamics are further improved by the feathers covering the body. These contour feathers of the body and the coverts over the wing and tail feathers of the bird in top form overlap each other very tightly to create a very smooth surface. We describe such a bird as having "tight" feather. During flight this very tight feather allows the moving air to flow smoothly and quickly over the body and wing surfaces in what we call "streamlines". "Streamlining" gives "lift" to the flying pigeon and is one of the reasons why it can fly for sustained periods without tiring. For whatever reason (health or breeding), poor quality feathers fail to form the tight smooth surface required for "streamlining" and efficient flight. When the surface is not perfectly smooth the air does not flow smoothly across the surface and creates air eddies and bubbles of turbulence. Turbulence has the effect of slowing the airflow over the wing and body surfaces that increases the "drag" or "resistance" and reduces the "lift". Therefore the bird with poor feathers flies slowly and requires more effort to stay aloft. The end result is a bird that tires sooner. A good feather is essential for racing performance because it is the basis of "lift".

 

 

Good post etc, & I will go along with every thing you have said above. But !!!!!!!!!!!!, answer me this   ;) how many here have handled certain birds on basket night etc of certain flyers in your club type thing & thought to yourself  ;D ;D ;D (these are a utter/load of crap) "PMSL" & then they beat you on race day   :) . Mainly it happens in the sprint races for what I have seen fortunately ?????? & they are long gone by the finish of the season.

Enjoy.

 

 

[phillips]

think weve all handled those type on marking night

[Lennut Tar]

think weve all handled those type on marking night

 

Thank Ch***t. "Hooray Hooray Hooray"   ;) ;D ;D ;D I'm not the only one fortunately   :P .

Enjoy.

 

 

[Guest IB]

It's a very interesting post and it also attempts to inform you how silky feather is important in flight.

 

Bits that I wonder about is if the feather is a dead structure, what part the bird plays in silkiness / maintaining it. So is that silkiness genetic or does it come with preening, and applying 'oil'. Not that sure that it's down to oil either, maybes powder down.

[Roland]

Yep Patty... but even with oils and Aid, stinging nettles etc. etc. to really acheive that condition, there must be a lote of so called 'Feather Pests' allowed a free hand.

You know they good birds feathering is really tops at marking station as you are covered with lice etc.

[Guest]

Good feathering is an important factor in a birds condition, but does not make them a better pigeon, otherwise we would all be racing show racers!!