selecting a pigeon for breeding

[swilcox]

genetically the basket will decide all, however in my experience of selecting pigeons and i have select quite a few toppers the following list may be a decent guide when selecting unproven pigeons.

 

Balance

(if it doesnt have this then dont bother looking for any of the following)

 

Feather quality

(so important, it will tell you more than an eye or throut)

Intellegence/charactor

(hard to study without time but can be very important)

Good muscles

(Its what they fly with)

eye quality

(dont really no what eyesign is)

Good Wing

(may help you decide what distance the pigeon may be suitable for)

good vent bones

(indication of how sturdy the pigeon is)

good throat

(they say every good pigeon has a good throut)

 

If you find one with all that it still may not bring you luck

 

Finally the pedigree, most will tell you a pedigree is worthless and it probaly is, however it will give you an indication of what the family/line that you are introducing are most suited to.

 

What do you use to help you select a new pigeon for you breeding team when the basket isnt an option.

[Guest cloudview]

good old fashioned    gut instinct

[Simeon Turner]

genetically the basket will decide all, however in my experience of selecting pigeons and i have select quite a few toppers the following list may be a decent guide when selecting unproven pigeons.

 

Balance

(if it doesnt have this then dont bother looking for any of the following)

 

Feather quality

(so important, it will tell you more than an eye or throut)

Intellegence/charactor

(hard to study without time but can be very important)

Good muscles

(Its what they fly with)

eye quality

(dont really no what eyesign is)

Good Wing

(may help you decide what distance the pigeon may be suitable for)

good vent bones

(indication of how sturdy the pigeon is)

good throat

(they say every good pigeon has a good throut)

 

If you find one with all that it still may not bring you luck

 

Finally the pedigree, most will tell you a pedigree is worthless and it probaly is, however it will give you an indication of what the family/line that you are introducing are most suited to.

 

What do you use to help you select a new pigeon for you breeding team when the basket isnt an option.

 

Good article Stuart, I totally agree with you.

 

When we are looking for introductions to the loft we like to put something in that is a similar type to ours, as mentioned in the previous psot 'gut' instict comes into as well. I suppose the inly 'fad' I have different is the tail, I like to see a slim feather width tail with plenty of coverage near the rump of the birds, also the tail doesn't move either up or down when in the hand, basically the bird just sits their in comfort.

 

 

[swilcox]

I look for the same when i term Balance, a single pin tail, i open the two wings with my thumbs and hold the bird up, i want to see a nice still tail and back shaped like a bottle of red wine.

 

Stuart

[Jumbo]

Stuart, does Raymond have the same thoughts as you when picking stock, or does he just go for National performing pigeons.

[timbarra]

stuart ,

think you hit nail full square here mate.

 

not one pigeon man worth his salt could doubt your methods of selection.

 

cheers spencer

[ribble]

 

Can you explain what you mean by feather Quality, as you say it is so important.

I mean, we have all heard of "silky feathering" can it be to silky or to soft?

 

 

[ribble]

 

 

 

[schouwman71]

best way to explain feather quality is,when you handle the pigeon tip it forward and it should start to slide from your hands,also the best ones feel a wierd dampish texture to them.some one on here might be able to explain a little better on the wet feel of well pigeons.i just feel its there on extra special pigeons.

 

les

[swilcox]

Raymond just goes on performance but saying that his family are all like peas in a pod so without thinking about it he must select a certain type, he does however say that he was told by Anton Lightenberg that they must be balanced and strong in the back. I noticed he tends to kill week backed pigeons after there 1st year.

 

Feather quality is smooth, silky, inplace and tight!!! Look at your 30 or 40 young birds and some will shine, thats feather quality.

 

Stuart

[swilcox]

Can i also say that the yearlings are sent to 580 miles so after that he rarely questions those that home in good time.

[Guest j v ward]

i would not have a pigeon in stock loft with split quills  ybirds bred from it would have split quills