Odd Feather Condition

[Max Strawn]

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...

[Mike Gilbert]

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

[Russ Blair]

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

[Max Strawn]

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.    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.

[Max Strawn]

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.