Ameraucana Forum

The Official Ameraucana Forum => Breeding => Topic started by: Max Strawn on June 18, 2018, 09:31:37 AM

Title: Odd Feather Condition
Post by: Max Strawn on June 18, 2018, 09:31:37 AM

I've had a few dozen birds over the last three years that have had this strange feather condition show up in their primary wing feathers. Any ideas what would cause it? I'm thinking genetic or nutrition...

Title: Re: Odd Feather Condition
Post by: Mike Gilbert on June 18, 2018, 01:44:21 PM

Max, have you considered feather mites?    If not that, my guess is a combination of nutrition and genetics. 

Title: Re: Odd Feather Condition
Post by: Russ Blair on June 18, 2018, 06:11:26 PM

They couldn't be damaging them in your pens perhaps??

Title: Re: Odd Feather Condition
Post by: Max Strawn on June 19, 2018, 10:32:09 AM

Quote from: Mike Gilbert on June 18, 2018, 01:44:21 PM

Max, have you considered feather mites?    If not that, my guess is a combination of nutrition and genetics.

Not feather mites... After the ordeal I just went through, I probably have the most clean and disease free birds on the planet right now.  ;D  I haven't changed the feed much so I'm leaning towards genetics. As my lines have gotten more concentrated, It has shown up a little more frequently. Great... something else to cull for.  ::) It's disappointing when you spot an exceptional bird and open the primaries to find this condition.

Title: Re: Odd Feather Condition
Post by: Max Strawn on June 19, 2018, 10:37:27 AM

Quote from: Russ Blair on June 18, 2018, 06:11:26 PM

They couldn't be damaging them in your pens perhaps??

I don't think so. The condition is consistent from the middle of the feather towards the base of the shaft.