Frets

Bobthegas · October 8, 2006

Hi all

I had lots of advise from you guys and girls regarding the late breds i purchased,

Heres an update: i purchased some late breds last week, three flyers have seen the birds and although they are well bred they said 8 out of 12 birds have SEVERE frets,

being a novice i did not know what these were.

Anyway, i have been in contact with the breeder and he said i must be 100% satisfied with the birds, if not he will give me the money back along with the birds.

What a great guy!

But im still confused, i spoke to a top breeder yesterday who knows these guys very well, he said possibly the birds were treated in the nest and have fretted, he also stated that with the knowledge of the birds and breeders he recommended that i should sit tight, let them moult out and look to the future with the birds.

Would you guys and girls breed from these,as the birds are going through the moult and are very healthy.

Sorry to go on,just putting the whole picture to you all.

Bob

swilcox · October 8, 2006

Dont panic at this stage Bob, but i would add that a fret comes when there is stress and a stressed baby hasnt had the best of starts but all may work out.

One thing is for sure the winter always sorts out a week latebred.

You have registered your veiws with this guy so he will be ok if you have a problem in the future.

Good luck mate

Stuart

Bobthegas · October 8, 2006

Thanks Stuart,

But do you think i should still keep the birds.

jimmy white · October 8, 2006

hi bob,,at least the breeder seems very gennuine and cant be fairer than that , thats why in other posts ive said dont treat whilst moulting, as i have did this b4 and found this out , but what i will say is if the birds were stinted as babies by treating, i,e fret marks as such, would tend to think theve not had the best start in life , and allthough sounding a bit harsh , would much prefer ,nothing less than a perfectly reared yb, only my opinion bob best of luck anyway :)

October 8, 2006

ANY BIRDS I GET OUT THE NEST WITH FRET MARKS ON WOULD HAVE TO GO JUST MY WAY OF DOING THINGS

October 8, 2006

A fret mark is an indication that the feather has stopped growing for a while because the bird has suffered some sort of shock to the system. One pigeon and one flight, I'd say on balance nothing to worry about.

But if I read the post right, every youngster from the same source and every flight is affected? If so, that says that something has gone far wrong during rearing - we can only guess what.

The other thing I'm concerned about is mistaking viral discolouration of feathers as 'simple' fretting. Some virus attacks cause feather problems like distortion, discolouration, faded patches that you can see / almost see through. So you can see what's happened on the outside, to the feathers, which the bird can change (moult) but what's happened inside the bird? ... it can't get a new heart, liver, kidney or set of lungs as easily as a new set of feathers.

Your call, but you've paid your money and expect value and quality in return. In my book, no matter how good these birds are, they're not good value or good quality. The vendor has given you the chance to change them. Take it.

Wiley · October 8, 2006

thanks bruno interesting post,as one flight of one of the best birds in my racing loft has moulted his flight before last and its only on one wing the flight looks slightly discoloured although it isnt fully grown yet,will have to wait and see what appens

square_peg · October 8, 2006

MADE THE MISTAKE OF WORMING OUR DOO'S MANY YEARS AGO WHEN THEY STILL MOULTING BIG MISTAKE ALMOST EVERY BIRD CARRIED A FRET MARK THE NEXT SEASON DIDNT DO THEM ANY HARM BAR NOT ABLE TO SHOW THEM THING IS WE KNEW WHAT CAUSED IT

kev01293 · October 8, 2006

give them a chance and see what happens before you condemn them? i know someone who was in your situation who thought his recently purchased yb,s were of inferior quality but then went on to race well with them and put some to stock.

October 8, 2006

For latebeds to carry SEVERE FRETS have in my opinion no racing future whatsover. It is hard enough to get well bred late breds to perform well, as it is. Vic.

peterpau · October 9, 2006

Only one way to find out for me. Give 'em till may then train hard. Breed from 'em, race the babbies hard. If you have some left at seasons end, that's a good start. Let's face it if you buy babbies they're untested. Old birds, will be what someone else is preppared to part with. For me late breds would be far the best way to start.